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From 1732 to 1820. 



A 

CHRONOLOGICAL REGISTER 

or 

BOSCAWEN, 

IN THE COUNTY OP MERRIMACK, AND STATE OF 
NEW-HAMPSHIRE, 

FROM THE FIRST SETTLEMENT OF THE TOWN TO 1820. 

IN THREE PARTS : 

©rscrijjttijf, lUCstorfcal $c i^iscrllanrcus. 

•OMPILED BY AN ORDER OF THE TOWN, PASSED MARCH, 1819. 

BY EBENEZER PRICE, A. M. 

I' 

PASTOR OE THE SKCOND CHURCH IN SAID TOWN. 



« On* generation shall prawethy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts." 

♦' Thou Shalt raise up the fouiidntions of msny generations, und thou ihmt be called tht 
Hepairer of the breach, the restorer of paths to dwell in."— Itaiah. 



CONCORD: 

TRINTED BY JACOB B. MOORE. 
1823. 

'<|wv/. 



DEDIC iTION. 

This compilation, the result of much lahor, has 
been carefully made, and is now presented to the 
inhabitants of the town of Boscawen and to their 
posterity, for a perpetual memorial, of the very 
interesting events of antiquity, wrested from ob- 
livion, — 

V -^ ' By their sincere friend, and 
B*^" very humble servant, 

EBENEZER PRICE. 



PART I. 



Situation of the town — extent — boundaries — orig'inal name — 
soil, and its varieties — drain-wells in use — rivers — ponds — water 
machinei'y — bridges and their extent — roads — climate — villages 
— dwelling-houses — public buildings — inns and stores — education, 
how promoted — ^societies — professional characters — post oflfiice — 
civil officers — population — number of militia — minerals — produc- 
tions of the soil — fruits and fruit-trees — currants cultivated — the 
breed of cattle — sheep improved — their number — wool manufac- 
tured — silk wrought — staple commodities — market towns — chur- 
ches — revivals of religion — concluding obsei vations. 

PART II. 



Section 1. Grant — to whom — character of the proprietors. 

2. First meeting of the proprietors — survey of plantation — 
Jiumber of rights — first division laid out and drawn. 

3. First settlers — their enterprize — first labor, &,c. 

4. Meeting at Conioocook — log town-house built — preaching — 
ferry. 

5. 2d division laid out and drawn — log meeting house built.-— 
settlers alarme.l by lndi:'.u* — log lort built — petition to the King^- 
Mr. Stevens ordained, &c. 



6 CONTENTS. 

6. New-Hampshire becomes a province — Gov. Wentworth — 
3d division laid out, &c. 

I. Indians molest the inhabitants — Louisburg taken-first inhab- 
itants killed or taken captive. 

8. Mason's claim described — land proprietors — title of the town 
obtained — indemnity to Mr. Stevens, &c. 

9. Provision for a 2d fort — Indians of St. J'rancis — Conduct of 
Bowen and Morrill — some taken captJve, &c. 

10. Rev. Mr. Stevens dies — Great Earthquake — last proprie- 
tors' meeting before Incorporation — new petition — granted — re- 
duction of Louisburg — Quebeck taken — Inliansat peace, &c. 

II. Plantation incorporated — name — 1st charter — 1st town 
meeting — 1st Justice, &c. 

12. Proprietors assist in settling a minister — Mr. Robie Mor- 
rill ordained — inhabitants leave the fort for thv ir farms. 
. 13. 4th division laid out and drawn — town charter renewed. 

14. Stamp act — province road laid out — Rev. Mr. Morrill dis- 
missed — new meeting house begun — Mr. Merrill ordained. 

15. Pews sold — D. College chartered — bridge built — colonies 
disturbed — Rev. Mr. Merrill removed. 

16. 1775, Ist Congress — battles — independence — campaigns- 
several preachers employed. 

17. Mr. Wood settled — Cornvtallis capitulated — peace with 
England. 

18. Road to Warner opened — delegate to state convention 
— 5 selectmen — parsonage sold — west meeting house buiit — 
neutrality proclaimed. 

19. Jay's treaty — last meeting of proprietors — evils in this 
town — county tax. 

20. War with France— meeting house burnt — injuries sus- 
tained — S. house consumed — Rev. Mr. Wood dissolves his com 
tract with the town. 

21. Half the parsonage given to west meeting' house — small 
pox in town — counterfeiters detected — 2d rcii^.cua society- 
church and minister — total eclipse. 



CONTENTS. 7 

22. War with England — negociation— check list — defence of 
•ur seaports — peace restored — improveoient in morals attempt- 
ed, <^c. 

23. School and parsonage lands — water-street difficulty healed 
—1816, a year of dearth — seasons change — review and close of 
the Ke£;iiiter. 

PART lU. 



J«:«tfllinrous Articles. 

Names of proprietors — first settlers — table shewing town offi- 
cers, representatives, other officers, and money raised for the 
year. — Lists of magistrates, post masters, ministers, deacons, at- 
torneys, physicians, graduates, births, marriages and deaths. — 
Commanding officers of the 21st regiment — campaigns — soldiers 
out in the war with France — stationed at Portsmouth in the late \. 
war with England — names of those who were killed in the army 
- — remarkable deaths — singular deli%'^erances — biographical noti- 
ces — narratives of deaths and captivities by lodiaDS— Kiapture and 
imprisooment of John Flanders, &ic. 



Note. — The town of Boscawen, at their an- 
nual meeting, March, 1821, voted acceptance of 
the following Register, in manuscript ; appointed 
a committee of five, including the selectmen, to 
make an equitable compersation to the compiler, 
and to dispose of the manuscript as should best 
meet the intention of the town : accordingly, this 
committee awarded the writer S50, and propos- 
ed the printing of the manuscript by subscription. 



?^{sitorj» of a3o.€c.iikucn. 



mis,m ^m% 



Description of the Toivti of Boscawen. 

BoscAWEN is an inland town in the State of 
New-Hampshire, and county of Merrimack, plea- 
santly situated upon the westerly side of Merri- 
mack river, between Concord and Salisbury ; and 
its extent of territory, by grant, is seven miles 
square. It is bounded eastwardly by Merrimack 
river ; northwardly on Salisbury line ; w^estward- 
ly on the line of Warner, and southwardly upon 
Hopkinton and Concord : its southeast corner 
monument is near the southwardly margin of 
Contoocook river, at its conjunction with the 
Merrimack, within a few yards of the isle on 
which Mrs. Duston, of ancient fame, performed 
the unparalleled deed of taking the lives of her 
savage captors, and making her escape from captiv- 
ity, more particulai'ly to be noticed in another 
place. 

The W'cll known Indian name Contoocook^ was 
given by the proprietors to tlieir location, and 
was retained until the town was incorporated. 

The soil of this town is very various, from the 
most fertile down to that which is low and poor ; 
and yet there is but little land in its whole ex- 
tent w^hich may be deemed waste land, or which 
may not be advantageously improved. Compar- 
ed with most of the adjacent towns, it i§ uot 
2 



10 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

hilly, but the face of the town, when view ed from 
its highest parts, appears uncommonly level. — • 
There are but few spots where stones greatly 
abound, and no inconvenience is experienced 
from morasses or stagnant waters. 

The territory may be divided into three general 
divisions, viz : interval pine-plain^ and high-land^ 
requiring a different cultivation. 

The interval upon the Merrimack, nearly the 
whole length of the town, is, in many places, 
widely extended, originally covered with a heavy 
growth of elm, butternut, maple and bass-wood. 
When cultivated, it proved very productive, and, 
even at this period, bountifully rewards the labour 
of the husbandman. 

Bordering on the interval westwardly are large 
plaitis ; natural growth, hard and white pine 
trees ; soil thinner, but suited to the ordinary 
production of rich harvests of grain, when prop- 
erly cultivated. 

The high land, which comprises about five 
sevenths of the whole town, lies in large swells 
far extending in a direction from north to south f 
natural growth, white oak and other hard wood ; 
the soil deep and very productive, affording many 
excellent farms most delightfully situated, and 
accommodated generally with a suitable propor- 
tion of pasturing, mowing and orcharding, with a 
constant supply of water. The convenience of 
water is aided by drain-wells, which are in very 
common use ; opened upon a side hill, and the 
water taken from the bottom, in pipes, for the ac- 
commodation of houses and barns ; and found to 
be a very great saving in respect of labor, manure^ 
and in the health and growth of cattle. 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 11 

This town is remarkably well watered. Mer- 
rimack river laves the whole easterly border. On 
the west, Black-water river, parallel with the 
Merrimack, five miles distant, runs through the 
whole extent of the town from north to south, 
and empties itself into the Contoocook. This 
river is not large, but is very important, both in 
respect of its fertile fields of champaigne, and the 
numerous water-privileges it affords. 

Pond brook, or as generally called, Beaver-dam 
brook, accommodates several mills, and from its 
meadow^s are annually cut more than 100 tons of 
hay ; runs between and parallel with Merrimack 
and Blackwater, from Salisbury, till it unites with 
Contoocook, in the north-east corner of Hopkin- 
ton. This stream is considered as nearly equally 
dividing the tow n east and west. 

Mill brook^ emptying into Merrimack, and 
Schoodk^ running southw^ardly from Long Pond, 
and uniting with Warner river, are streams fur- 
nishing mill-seats. Beside the before-named, 
there are many other streams of lesser note, glid- 
ing through most of our valleys, yielding their 
benefits to almost every farm ; and some of them 
improved tbr water machinery. 

There are two ponds of note : Great Pond 
lies u«'ar the centre of the town, and is about one 
mile long, and the same in breadth ; and Long 
Pond, situated in the west part of the town, is 
about two miles long, and 1-2 a mile wide : both 
abound with common freshwater fish, and each 
furnishes a mill-seat at its outlet. There are in 
this town seventeen saw-mills ; five corn-mills, 
three of which have two runs of stones, and all 
fiurnished with bolts ; four fulling-mills ; five 



IQ HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

carding machines ; two mills for grinding tanner's 
bark ; one trip-hammer ; one mill for turning 
cart-wheel hubs and felloes, and one for grinding 
lead for potter's ware. 

The principal bridges are, two across Merrimack 
river, uniting Boscawen with Canterbury, built 
by incoq>orated companies. Chandler's bridge, 
so called, over Contoocook river ; 7 across Black- 
water river ; 1 over Stirrup-iron brook, and 1 over 
the gulf, on the fourth New-Hampshire turnpike, 
built at the expense of 1000 dollars, by Lt. Ste- 
phen Gerrish, in 1815; but just before its com- 
pletion, the contractor, after a short sickness, 
died, and his death deprived this town of one of 
its most ingenious, enterprising and valuable citi- 
zens. 

As shewing this town to be well watered, it is 
estimated by judicious men, that the length of 
plank-bridges annually maintained within its lim- 
its is more than two miles, including their abut- 
ments. 

There are six public roads through this town 
from Concord and Hopkinton to the town of Sal- 
isbury ; viz ; King-street and Fish-street in con- 
tinuation ; High-street^ on the 4th New-Hamp- 
shire turnpike ; Water-street ; Battle-street^ lately 
opened ; Pleasant-street^ continued on West-high- 
way, and West Newhury-street. And crossing all 
the before-named streets, at right angles, except 
Battle-street, from Fish-street to Warner line, is 
Long-street. 

The Province-roach laid out by the authority of 
Gov. John Wentworth, in a direction from Ports- 
mouth to No. 4, or Charlestown, and opened in 
1770, is not now improved except for a short dis- 
tance. 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 13 

These public streets, at a very great expense, 
are made easy for carriages of every description. 

The inhabitants of this tow^n have been highly 
distinguished in point of health. From its first 
settlement, there have been no extensively mortal 
contagions or epidemics. It is thought by men of 
observation, that the pure air and uniform temper- 
ature, arising from the numerous streams of whole- 
some water, and peculiar direction of the swells of 
high land, parallel with the streams, have contrib- 
uted to the enjoyment of this invaluable blessing. 

There are two villages to be noted. The prin- 
cipal of which is situated in the eastwardly sec- 
tion of the town, made up of about thirty dwell- 
ing-houses, through which the 4th New-Hamp- 
shire turnpike passes, affording a spacious street, 
nearly two miles in length, very straight and lev- 
el. In passing through this village, the observant 
traveller is attracted and delighted by the fertile 
intervals, and the serpentine course of the Merri- 
mack in full view. Near the centre of this vil- 
lage, on the river, are a commodious landing place 
and lumber yard ; and movements are in train 
for extending the boating navigation of Merri- 
mack river, as far as this place, if not further up 
the river. 

There is also a village now forming on a pleas- 
ant eminence in the westwardly part of the town, 
near the meeting house, promising at no very dis- 
tant period a centre for business and extensive 
population. 

The number of elegant and richly furnished 
dwelling houses is as yet small, for it may be ob- 
served that we are an agricultural people, and 
therefore more attention is paid to the conveni- 



14 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

ence of the farmer than to well finished and fur- 
nished houses. 

There are in town two houses for public re- 
ligious worship, six miles distant, commodious and 
decently well finished ; one of which is furnished 
with a good bell. There are fourteen school- wards, 
and thirteen school-houses, most of wiiich have 
been lately built, and are commodious. The average 
number of children to each house, both summer 
and winter, is about thirty-five. Nine public inn? ; 
six retailing stores, and one is)^\xi-pound built of 
stone. 

Education is very evidently progressing, and 
many of our youth are good proficients. To this 
the early aid and unwearied labour of the Rev. 
Samuel Wood, D. D. have greatly contributed. 
In the course of his residence in town, he has 
uniformly had more or less young men under his 
tuition, either to advance a ccmmon, or to prepare 
them for a public education. He has entered at 
th". different colleges between eighty and ninety 
young gentlemen, of whom thirty-one have en- 
gaged in the work of the gospel ministry. And 
more recentl}^ education has been greatly promot- 
ed by the town inhabitants in their strict observ- 
ance of the state law of 1808, requiring the an- 
imal appointment of a visiting committee ; also, 
by supporting select schools, under the tuition of 
learned and pious young men, and likewise by fa- 
voring sabbath schools, which have become gene- 
ral, and highly promotive of education, as well as 
good morals. 

The Boscawen Social Library Society was 
founded 1792, and incorporated 1797 ; it contains 
about 220 volumes. 



HISTORY OP BOSCAAVEN. 15 

There are two religious Societies of the congre- 
gational order; the first formed in 1802, in con- 
nection with the first church, and incorporated 
1807 ; the second formed 1804, and incorporated 
1810. 

One musical, one moral, and one agricultural 
society, beside the following charitable societies ; 
one for educating heathen youth ; one auxiliary 
to the American Education Society, and supports 
one beneficiary ; two Female Cent Societies ; two 
Female Gleaning Societies, to aid poor, pious 
young men in acquiring an education ; and seve- 
ral Reading Societies among our female youth, 
who pay an annual tax, in aid of missions.* 

Of professional characters, there are in town 
two Congregational Ministers of the Gospel ; one 
Counsellor at Law, and two Physicians. 

A Post-Office was established Jan. 13, 1806, 
and the present Deputy Post-Master, is Benjamin 
H. Oak, Esq. 

There are five Justices of the Peace and one 
Coroner. 

The present population of the town, 270 fami- 
lies ; 313 rateable polls; 394 legal voters, and 
2113 souls, of whom 1014 are males, and 1099 
females. 



* Mothers and their daughters have united their charities in 
aid of Domestic Missions, and the success of their efforts has 
been manifested in a collection of a very valuable box of cloth- 
ings recently transmitted to the Elliot station in the Choctaw na- 
tion of Indians. Also the Pastor of the 1st church has received 
^40, constituting him a life-member of the American Education 
Society, and ^20 to constitute him a life-member of the New- 
England Tract Society. And the Pastor of the 2d Church has 
received ,^20 to make him a life-member of the last named soci- 
ety — mostly from female beneficence in their respective congre- 
gations. 



16 HISTORY OP BOSCAWEN. 

This town does not abound with mineral sub- 
stances. That which has excited the most atten- 
tion is the lead. It seems to be the general im- 
pression that there are very extensive mines of 
lead, but notwithstanding the strong solicitude 
and laborious research of numbers, as yet they 
have not been found. 

The soil is favorable to the growth of Indian 
corn, rye, wdieat, oats, peas, beans and potatoes ; 
the latter are raised in great abundance, and much 
used in fattening cattle and swine. 

Much pains has been taken by the inhabitants 
of this town in cultivating fruit-trees ; but with- 
in a few years, orcharding has greatly decayed, and 
the seasons have been very unfavorable to almost all 
kinds of stone fruit. At present, apples, pears and 
cherries are the principal fruit. There has been, 
however, a great improvement made upon our or- 
chards by grafting, which afford a great variety of 
fruit most delicious : among which are the Pear- 
main, Green Russet, Woburn and Baldwin apples, 
English, Brown, Pumpkin, Sweetings and Gill- 
flowers. Attention has been paid of late to the 
cultivation of currants, and some have begun to 
derive from them an excellent beverage, which in 
flavour will equal the richest wine. 

The breed of cattle has been milch improved 
within a few years ; w^hile that of horses seems 
to have claimed but little or no attention.* 



"^ In reverting to the diseases among cattle, beside those which 
are common, may be noted, 

The Black-leg, which particularlj prevailed in 1814, among 
young cattle and sheep, and proved mortal in a short time. 

The Hoof-ail, a distemper in the feet of neat cattle, of which 
*hey rarely died ; but in many case^ the hoof was entirely re- 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 17 

The wool of our sheep has been greatly im- 
proved in quality, by mixing our native with the 
merino breed. The first merino sheep were 
brought into town by Deac. Enoch Little, in 181 2. 
The largest number of sheep ever owned in town 
was in 1816 ; the largest flocks from 50 to 150 : 
and the quantity of wool carded, and mostly man- 
ufactured in town the same year, was about 
1 7,500 lbs. ; or eight tons and three quarters. 

The Rev. Doctor Wood has, for the fifteen years 
past, cultivated the silk-worm ; and furnished his 
own, and some other families, with sewing-silk of 
a very excellent quality. 

Staple Commodities. — Boards, white oak plank, 
pine and oak timber, white oak staves and head- 
ing (wrought and unvn^ought), beef, pork, mutton, 
poultry, butter and cheese — of which, the great- 
est quantity is pork and cheese, and of the first 
quality to be found in any market. 

The principal market towns resorted to by the 
inhabitants, are Newburyport, Salem, Boston and 
Portsmouth. 

There are two congregational churches in town, 
calvinistic in sentiment. The first embodied in 
1740. The present pastor. Rev. Samuel Wood, 
D. D., was ordained Oct. 17, 1781, and the church 



moved, and in some cases the usefulness of oxen was destroyed, 
in 1816. 

Tlie Black-tongue^ an inflammatory putrid disorder of the 
throat and tongue of most neat cattle, and frequently of horses, 
prevailed very extensively in 1819. The same disease would 
sometimes seize and spend its force upon the hoofs of horses, 
extremely painful, and often injure or entirely remove the hoof. 
For this complaint when in the mouth various applications, guard- 
ing against putridity, were used ; but when in the hoof, immedi- 
ate bleeding in the part was found to be a great relief, if not an 
effectual remedy. 



18 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

now consists of about 350 members. The 2d 
church was embodied in 1804. Rev. Ebenezer 
Price installed pastor Sept. 26, 1804, and consists 
of 120 communicants. Between these churches 
and the societies with which they are connected, 
there exists very great harmony of feeling and sen- 
timent. 

We have no account of any general outpouring 
of the spirit of God, for the revival of religion in 
town, till after the settlement of Rev. Mr. Wood ; 
but since that time revivals have been numerous r 
the most powerful and extensive of which were 
experienced in the years 1815 and 1819. These 
were general through the two societies, particu- 
larly the last, whose origin, progress, character, the 
extent and fruit of the work, evidently showed it- 
self to be the peculiar work of God ; and such as 
has been rarely ,if ever, experienced in any place of 
the same population. There were admitted into 
the firstchurch,atone time76 ; at another 54; and 
into the second church, 30, besides smaller addi- 
tions. 

It should be observed that there is a large pro- 
portion of the inhabitants of this town,who do not 
attach themselves to the existing congregational so- 
cieties,but are professedly of other denominations^ 
viz. Calvinistic Baptists, Freewill Baptists, Meth- 
odists, &c. Though as yet no church has been em- 
bodied, or society organized, or stated religious 
teacher settled among them. 

In placing before you and your posterity the 
foregoing description of the town of Eoscawen, it 
is not merely to gratify your feelings by a com- 
prehensive view of the present advanced state of 
society, but to induce the inquiry, by what routine 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 19 

of events — in the employment of what means 
and instruments, hatli the all-wise God produced 
such a state of things in the course of 80 or 90 
years ? This laudable inquiry we hope to answer 
in thesecoM^j;m7, by presenting a history of events 
and facts founded on the records of the proprie- 
tors and town, as well as on undoubted verbal tes- 
timony. 



S2^(S@N^ ^Am> 



The Chronological Register ; exhibiting the Pro- 
ceedings of the Proprietors and Town of Bos- 
caiven^from its first settlement to 1820 — a pe- 
riod of S8 years ; interspersed with those events 
and facts interesting to inquirers^ and divided 
into sections. 

Section 1. 

In 1732, the memorable year which gave birth 
to George Washington, a number of enterpriz- 
ing men, mostly natives of Newbury, in the Pro- 
vince of Massachusetts Bay, New-England, asso- 
ciated together with a view to settle some part of 
the extensive vsrilderness, should they meet with 
proper encouragement. Accordingly, they peti- 



20 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

tioned the General Court of Massachusetts Bay 
foj" a township situated upon the westerly side of 
Merrimack river, in New-Hampshire, then under 
the jurisdiction of Massachusetts ; and were suc- 
cessful. A grant of seven miles square was made 
out in due form, Dec. 8, 1732, in the words fol- 
lowing, viz. 

" Province of Masmchusetts-Bay. 

A petition of John Coffin, of Newbury, and 
eighty others, praying the grant of a tract of land 
seven miles square lying on the west side of Mer- 
rimack river, adjoining to Penacook, to settle 
themselves or their children upon, on such con- 
ditions as this Court shall judge fit. 

In the House of Representatives read, and in 
answer to this petition. 

Ordered, that there be, and hereby is granted to 
the petitioners a tract of land, seven miles square, 
at the place petitioned for, on the west side of 
Merrimack river, to be laid out by a surveyor, 
and chain-men on oath, a plan thereof to be pre- 
sented to this Court, at their next May session, for 
confirmation. The lands to be by them settled 
on the conditions following, viz. — That within 
the space of four years from the confirmation of 
the jjlan, they settle, and have on the spot eighty- 
one families ; each settler to build a good conveni- 
ent dwelling-house, one story high, eighteen feet 
square at least, and fence, clear and bring to, four 
acres fit for improvement, and three acres more 
well stocked with English grass ; and also lay out 
three shares throughout the town, each share to 
be one eighty-fourth part of the said tract of land, 
one of said shares to be for the first settled minis- 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 21 

ter, one for the ministry, and one for the school ; 
and also to huild a convenient meeting-house, and 
settle a learned orthodox minister within the term 
aforesaid. 

In Council, read and concurred." 
A true copy of record, as among the proceedings 
of the General Court, on the 8th Deer. 1732, p. 336. 
Attest, Alden Bradford, Secretary 
of the Commonioealth of Massachusetts. 

" Province of Massachusetts Bay. 
A plat of a township of land granted at the 
Court to John Coffin and others, lying on Merri- 
mack river, above Penacook, surveyed by Rich- 
ard Hazzen and two chainmen on oath, being 
bounded as follows, viz. ; beginning at the mid- 
dle of Contoocook river, where it empties into 
Merrimack, where it joins on Penacook Planta- 
tion ; thence running west 15° south adjoining 
Pennicook line, four miles, to a white-pine tree, 
marked for Penacook corner bounds ; thence 
further on the same line three miles and eight 
poles, to a Norway-pine, marked for the corner 
i30unds ; thence turned at right angles, and run- 
ning north 1 5 deg. west, seven miles and eight 
poles, to a crotched white-birch, lettered, stand- 
ing on the south-east side of a hill, which is the 
north-west corner ; thence turned at right-angles 
and run east, 1 5 deg. north, near seven miles and 
an half, to a white-oak and two vvhite-pines, mark- 
ed by Merrimack river, and by said river as it 
runs to Contoocook river to the place where it 
first began. In the House of Representatives 
read, and voted that this plat be accepted ; and 
that the lands within delineated and described, be 



22 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

and hereby are confirmed to the within-named 
John Coffin, Joseph Dole, and other petitioners, 
their heirs and assigns forever, they complying 
with the orders and conditions in the grant, on 
their petition in December last ; provided the plat 
does not contain more than the contents of seven 
miles square, nor interfere with any other, or for- 
mer grant. 

Consented to, J. BELCHER." 

A true copy of record, as among the proceed- 
ings of the General Court, on 6th June, 1733. 
Page 394. 

Attest, Alden Bradford, Secretary 
of the Ccmmonwealth. 

This grant, thus confirmed, was made to eigh- 
ty-one proprietors, to whom were added ten more, 
making ninety-one, whose names, for the satisfac- 
tion of their posterity and successors are to be 
found in a list in the miscellany. 

The characters of the gentlemen composing 
the proprietary of Contoocook very widely differ- 
ed from modern speculators in w ild lands. It 
was not a mere regard to private emolument 
which prompted them to engage in such an en- 
terprize ; but they evidenced in all their proce- 
dures " in turning the wilderness into a fruitful 
field," a patriotic spirit, and a readiness to lend 
their influence for the benefit of others. It is but 
a just tribute to the memory of this body of men, 
to say, they w^ere from habit and principle moral, 
the friends of civil order, and the firm supporters 
of the institutions of the gospel. Some of them 
were distinguished, by their influence in the most 
important concerns of the State, and many of 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 23 

their names are registered among the friends of 
the Redeemer. 



Section. 2. 

May 2, 1733. By order of the General Court 
of Massachusetts, to John Coffin, the proprietors 
held their first meeting in Newbury at the house 
of Archelaus Adams. 

Lt. George Little was chosen moderator, and 
Joseph Coffin, Proprietors' clerk — who was duly 
sworn by Richard Kent, Esq. justice of the 
peace. The clerk thus elected, afterwards Col. 
Joseph Coffin, was a gentleman of good natural 
abilities, — a handsome common education, and a 
very ready scribe. Though living in Newbury, 
he was uniformly chosen clerk, as uniformly at- 
tended the proprietors' meetings for the term of 
twenty-eight years, until the town was incorpora- 
ted. The proprietors being in a capacity to act. 
the immediate object of their attention was to 
prepare their plantation for settlement. At their 
first meeting, therefore, they appointed a commit- 
tee of five — Joseph Gerrish, Esq. William Ilsley, 
John Coffin, Joseph Noyes and Tristram Little, 
to locate their grant, fix its boundaries, take a 
plan of the same and make a return of their do- 
ings to the General Court ; — assessed five pounds 
on each proprietor to defray this expence, and 
chose Daniel Hale, Treasurer, and John Weed, 
Collector. The committee performed this ser- 
vice in the following month of June ; called a 
meeting of the proprietors, and presented them 
with a plan of the township as taken by Richard 
Hazzen, surveyor. July 4. The compensation 



24 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

made to the surveyor 10^ ; to each of the three 
chainmeii 36s. ; and 10s. per day to each of the 
committee for their attendance. 

The proprietors agreed that the township should 
he laid out into one hundred and four shares or 
rights. One right to each of the ninety-one pro- 
prietors ; — four rights for public uses, viz. for the 
first minister — support of the ministry — schools 
and mills ; — and nine rights to be conferred, one 
on each of the following gentlemen ; — Ebenezer 
Burrill, Esq., John Wainwright, Esq., Richard 
Kent, Esq., Mr. Samuel Bradford, John Choate, 
Esq., Mr. Edward Shove, Mr. Benjamin Bird, 
Mr. Jeremiah Getchell, and Mr. Richard Hub- 
bard, who had assisted the proprietors by their 
advice and influence. 

In prosecution of the plan, a new committee of 
five — Col. Joseph Gerrish, Lt. William Ilsley, 
BenjaminPettingell, Daniel Peirce andJohn Weed, 
jun. were appointed to lay out the first division, 
which should consist of an interval lot of five 
acres, and a liouse-lot (called home-lots) to each 
proprietor ; — six other gentlemen were added to 
this committee Oct. 9.^ to attend and advise in 
respect of the business, the whole to be compen- 
sated by the proprietors. 

The season was somewhat advanced, the com- 
mittee therefore, with their attendants, immedi- 
ately set about, and accomplished the business of 
their appointment, so that on the 9th of Novem- 
ber they were able to report to the proprietors. 
The 1st division, or home lot, so called, laid out 
by Mr. John Brown, surveyor ; also, three streets 
in the first division — King-street, Queen-street, 
and Newbury-street ; likewise the Gentlemen's 



HISTORY OP BOSCAWEN. 25 

Farms, so called — five on the north side and four 
on the south side of the plantation ; each farm 
containing 300 acres, but laid out inlets of 150 
acres, two lots to tach farm, including sufficiency 
of land for all necessary roads. 

On accepting the report of their committee, 
the proprietors appointed Henry Rolfe, Esq. to 
draw the home-lots, and also the Gentlemen's 
Farms ; assessed 45. on each right to meet the ex- 
pense of their doings, and the present meeting. 
And moreover appointed a committee to fence the 
interval on the plantation early the ensuing spring 
at the expense of the proprietors. 

Thus in the short term of about seven months, 
the proprietors of Contoocook, in exercising the 
enterprising spirit they possessed^ completely pre- 
pared their plantation for the reception of its first, 
settlers. 



Section 3. 

It was early in the season of 1734, when the 
first settlers, mostly natives of Newburj', moved 
to Contoocook with their families, there to fix 
their own future residence and provide an inher- 
itance for their posterity. And this was an un- 
dertaking of no common mai^nitude in that age. 
To us it may seem but a light thing to leave 
the place of our nativity and to migrate 60 or 100 
miles into the interior, to bring land from a state 
of nature into a well cultivated farm. But in 
turning back 80 or 90 years, we find the circum- 
stances of men greatly diflfering from ours. Their 
views of the country were more limited ; their 
4 



26 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

fears more numerous, and their enterprize less. 
For them, therefore, to leave the fields cultivated 
by their progenitors for several generations, to es- 
tablish a residence but a few miles in the woods, 
demanded a greater effort than would be needed 
by the most of this age to plant themselves upon 
the far distant Missouri. But these adventurers 
had to encounter serious obstacles. To secure 
the means of life by cutting down the trees of 
the forest was business entirely new ; the place 
of their destination was 60 ivAles distant — a dis- 
tance which but few had ever travelled ; should 
they arrive in safety to their contemplated resi- 
dence, their domestic accommodations must, at 
best, be poor ; and there too they must feel them- 
selves to be the farthest removed from society, as 
but few or no permanent settlenients were as yet 
made between them and Canada. The idea of 
the wild beasts of the wilderness was appalling ; 
but the most distressing thought was that of meet- 
ing merciless Indians, without the means of de- 
fending their property, families or lives. So that 
whatever confidence they placed in the encourage- 
ment, protection, and aid proffered by the proprie- 
tors, it was like a self-banishment from society, 
friends and privileges — like giving up all, except 
their reliance upon a merciful Providence to pre- 
serve them from evil, and prosper them in their 
undertaking. 

There is no record to be found, shewing the ex- 
act order, or time, in which the first settlers mov- 
ed into the plantation; their names, therefore, 
will be found inserted in the miscellany as near 
their true order as verbal information will allow. 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 27 

The most of the first season was occupied by 
the settlers in preparing for and erecting their 
habitations ; cultivating some patches of inter- 
val, and making clearings for future crops. Be- 
ing destitute of saw-mills, their houses were built 
in the ordinary style of new countries ; the walls 
of round logs, and roofs covered with large slabs 
of spruce bark, except a small aperture for the es- 
cape of the smoke of their fires, instead of the 
more expensive apparatus of a chimney. 

The first plough was introduced into the settle- 
ment, and used by Mr. Stephen Gerrish, upon the 
interval. 

Dec. 18, 1734. The proprietors met at New- 
bury and passed several acts for the accommo- 
dation of their settlers. Mr. Joseph Toppan was 
directed to provide a good grind-stone for the use 
of the plantation ; raised §8100 Massachusetts 
currency, for building a saw-mill, though at a sub- 
sequent meeting the measure was objected to and 
varied ; chose Benjamin Lunt, John Moody, jun. 
and Edward Emery, assessors, and John Coffin, 
Collector. 

Jan, 7, 1735. The first child was born on the 
plantation, viz. Migail daughter of Nathaniel 
Danforth, who was married to Thomas Foss, 
and lived to an advanced age. Sarah, daughter of 
Andrew Bohonnon, the second child, born Jan. 

22,1736. 

March 10. After several attempts for the 
erection of mills, the proprietors accepted a pro- 
posal of Joseph Gerrish, Esq. and fourteen asso- 
ciates, to build a saw-m.ill at the upper end of 
King-street, on the small stream called Mill- 
brook, by the following September j and also to 



28 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

build a good corn-mill, when there should be in 
the plantation twenty settlers, for the considera- 
tion of a 50 acre lot adjoining the mills, and a 
full right of land through the town. A bond was 
taken of these 15 gentlemen for the faithful per- 
formance of this service, by Robert Adams, Jo- 
seph Morse, Sd, and Richard Hale, for the propri- 
etors. 



vSection 4. 

May 19, 1736. The first meeting of the 
proprietors held at Contoocook. After choosing 
a Clerk and other officers, in compliance with one 
of the conditions of the grant, the proprietors ap- 
pointed Lt. Benjamin Lunt, Joseph Gerrish, Esq. 
and Mr. John Coffin, a committee to select a suit- 
able preacher for the settlers, and empowered them 
to assess such a tax as would meet this expense : 
but the name of the preacher is not recollected. 
Provision was first made for amending the high- 
ways, and five shillings allowed for a day's work ; 
an order passed that the interval should not be 
mowed until the 10th of July ; and this year the 
proprietors erected on the plantation a log-building 
for a town-house, and other publick uses. 

March 4, 1737. Proprietors met at Newbu- 
ry, and appointed a committee to expose to pub- 
lic sale the lands of those who were delinquent in 
paying their proporti(m of the expense incurred in 
bringing forward the settlement ; granted an 
award of S5 to John Weed, for his former ser- 
vice as collector ; and being desirous of settling a 
minister upon the plantation, authorized tlieir 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 29 

committee to employ Mr. Phineas Stevens, a can- 
didate, to preach on trial for settlement. 

May 25. At Contoocook the proprietors rais- 
ed ^210 for preaching the present year ; also chose 
all necessary officers ; and as the number of set- 
tlers had considerably increased, they passed an 
order that suitable accommodations should be 
made in the town-house for holding meetings on 
the sabbath. 

May 10, 1738. Meeting at Contoocook. — 
The proprietors chose their officers ; raised 
s6lOO for preaching the ensuing season, and Mr. 
Stevens was again employed as their religious 
teacher. 

The ferry across Merrimack river, to Canter- 
bury was first established, and Mr. Stephen G,er- 
rish obligated himself to keep it the term of one 
year for the rate of ferriage. There being no civ- 
il officer among the settlers, the proprietors by 
their committee, petitioned the General Court of 
Massachusetts Bay for the appointment of a con- 
stable to keep the peace. 

September 6. The proprietors finding that 
another division of their plantation was necessa- 
ry, appointed Benjamin Rolfe, Esq., John Coffin, 
Edward Emery, Ensign Joseph Gerrish and 
Thomas Thorla, a committee to lay out the 
Second Divmon of lots, containing each 80 acres. 
The committee employed Mr. John Brown as 
surveyor, performed the service, and made a re- 
turn of their doings, Dec. 20, with the following 
streets in said division laid out four rods wide, viz. 
Fish-street, High-street, Cross-street, Water-street, 
Long-street, Battle-street, Pleasant-street, and the 
street now called West-highway^, with several oth- 
er roads. The expense of this survey amounted 



30 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

to ^100, lOs., and was allowed by the proprie- 
tors. Mr. Moses Smith was appointed to draw 
the lots for the proprietors ; and an order was pass- 
ed that each proprietor should pay his proportion 
of the expense of the laying out the 2d division at 
the drawing, or not have his lot recorded. An as- 
sessment also of ^100, was made to enable Joseph 
Gerrish, Esq., Lieut. Joseph Coffin and Jacob Flan- 
ders to build a meeting house upon the plantation ; 
said house to be built of logs, 40 feet long, and "as 
wide as Rumford (now Concord) meeting house,on- 
ly two feet higher." The land of delinquent pro- 
prietors was ordered to be set up for sale. 



Section 5. 

May 16,1739. Meeting held at the town -house in 
Contoocook. Officers of the proprietary chosen. 
Mr. Phineas Stevens again employed as preacher 
for the settlers. ^300 old tenor raised to dciray con- 
tingent expenses. The log meeting house com- 
pleted and occupied ; and the land of delinquent 
proprietors sold, July 18. 

But here we must turn from the routine of bu- 
siness so successfully pursued by the proprietors in 
advancing the settlement of their plantation, to a 
subject very interesting and distressing to their 
settlers. This feeble colony, after the experience 
of great deprivations, submitting to many hard- 
ships in planting their habitations in the wilder- 
ness ; and while flushed with thehope,that soon their 
toils would be amply rewarded with the accom- 
modations of life, were harrassed with fear, and 
called to make defence of themselves and fami- 
lies against the merciless hands of a savage foe. — 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 31 

In consequence of the frequent wars between 
France and England, the Indian tribes in North- 
America, under the influence of the French, made 
frequent depredations upon the property, and took 
captive, or killed, some of the N. E. colonists in 
the new settlements, even in times of peace. This 
was the evil threatened the first settlers of Con- 
toocook by the Canada Indians. To flee before 
their enemies with their ctU^ they could not ; and 
to make open defence, they had not power. And 
where could they look but to the proprietors un- 
der God for that protection, which, at this junc- 
ture, they so much needed ? Nor did they look in 
vain ; for 

Dec. 6. The proprietors in session at NeAvbury 
unanimously agreed forthwith to build a fort 100 
feet square, 10 feet high, of timber and other ma- 
terials, for the defence of their settlers. This 
fort to be built on the school-lot, near the meeting- 
house, on King-street ; which was completed in 
the course of the winter, and for more than twenty 
years proved a commodious garrison for all the in- 
habitants. Being furnished with muskets and 
ammunition, they were able to protect them- 
selves, while they improved their farms. 

May 1 6, 1 740. The proprietors met at Contoo- 
cook, and having elected the annual officers, a com- 
mittee was appointed, consisting of Joseph Ger- 
rish, Esq., George Jackman, John Brown, John 
Coffin and Edward Emery, to consult with Mr. 
Stevens respecting conditions of his settling in 
the work of the gospel ministry upon the planta- 
tion, and to report at the next meeting. Raised 
^150, bills of credit of the old tenor, for con- 
tingent expenses ; and at the request of the pro- 



22 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

prietors of Baker's town (easterly part of Salis- 
bury) opened a road from King-street, near the 
river, to said plantation. 

New-Hampshire was about this time to be or- 
ganized into a province, separate from Massachu- 
setts ; the proprietors of Contoocook, therefore, 
presented a petition to His Majesty the King, by 
Thomas Huchinson, Esq., praying that their plan- 
tation might still be continued to the parent-prov- 
ince. Belknap informs (Hist. 2 vol. p. 173), that 
27 other towns made similar application by the 
same hand, but to no avail ; for it was made to 
appear to the House of Lords by Mr. Thomlin- 
son, agent for this colony, that the interest of 
the people in the province of New-Hampshire 
required they be under a government distinct from 
Massachusetts. 

Sept. 25. At a meeting held at Newbury the 
proprietors heard and received the report of their 
committee respecting the settlement of a minister, 
and agreed to proffer Mr. Phineas Stevens the fol- 
lowing encouragement for his support : 

1. ^135 of bills of credit, made equivalent to 
silver at 29s. the ounce, as his salary for the first 
year, and that to increase ^5 a year until it should 
amount to dgl75, which should be his stated an- 
nual support during his ministry. 

2. To give him a settlement of ^180 ; and 

3. Should it be found on trial, that his salary 
proved inadequate to his support, the proprietors 
engaged to make a reasonable addition. 

It was at the same time to be understood that 
the first settled minister was entitled by grant to 
one full right of land as his own in fee simple; 
and the improvement of the parsonage and right 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWETf. 33 

during his ministry. — The last named committee 
were directed to present these Urms to Mr. Stevens, 
as the proprietors' call ; and should he accept them, 
to unite with him in appointing the time of his ordi- 
nation, and in calling in the aid of an ecclesiastical 
council. Likewise were authorized to take security 
of Mr. Stevens, that neither he, nor any other for 
him, should ever claim, for the minister's right, 
more than the one hundred and fourth part of said 
plantation, as his forever ; and for the parsonage 
right, more than the one hundred and fourth part 
as his during his ministry.* 

Mr. Stevens' accepted the proposals made ; — 
ordination was appointed ; council convened ; 
the security given. A congregational church em- 
bodied on the Cambridge platform, and he ordain- 
ed to the pastoral care of the church and people in 
Contoocook, October 8, 1740 ;t and George 
Jackman was elected the first Deacon in the 
church. 



Section 6. 

1741. William Shirley succeeded Gov. Belcher in 
the government of Massachusetts, and at the same 
time New-Hampshire, which had been nearly 1 00 
years subject to that government was erected in- 
to a distinct province, and Benning Wentworth, 

* Such a security was necessary because the town was laid oul 
in one hundred and four rights, and by grant the first minister was 
entitled to an eighty-fourth part of the plantation. 

t An exact account of the expense of ordination was kept by 
John Brown, Esq. and paid bv the proprietors, amounting to £104. 
N. H. old tenor, or ^46 35 our currency — a rare spt'ciraen of tho 
simplicity and economy of that age. 

5 



34 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

Esq. a native of Portsmouth, N. H. then in Eng- 
land, was commissioned Governor by the Crown. 

The newly appointed Governor soon returned 
from abroad and entered his government on the 
12th Dec. 1741, under very liberal tokens of re- 
spect from the populace. Should any one wish 
for more information respecting this transaction, 
he may be gratified by consulting Belknap's Hist. 
N. H. Vol.11. Chap. 19. 

May 20. Meeting at Contoocook. The Pro- 
prietors in addition to the choice of Clerk, Asses- 
sors and Collector, appointed Surveyors of Ways, 
Fence-viewers, Pound-keeper and Hogreeves ; 
raised 20/. for highways, and 200/. for contingent 
expenses ; ordered the sale of lands for delin- 
quency in taxes, and employed Capt. Ebenezer 
Eastman to clear and plough the ministerial in- 
terval-lot the present summer. 

1742. Being now under the immediate gov- 
ernment of New-Hampshire, the proprietors feel- 
ing their need of governmental efficiency, sent in 
a petition to His Excellency Governor Went- 
worth, and Council, on the 4th of Feb. and 
another the latter part of the same month, ex- 
pressing their desire for his favorable patronage 
in the adoption of measures suited to the state of 
the settlers ; and as they were exposed to the as- 
saults of the Indians, to provide them with the 
means of defence. 

Sept. 8. The proprietors raised 200/. old ten- 
or, to meet the minister's salary, and other ex- 
penditures of the year. And to prevent delay in 
their collection, ordered that each proprietor give 
his note of hand for his tax to the Collector. 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 35 

May 18, 1743. Elected the usual annual of- 
ficers ; raised 200/. old tenor for the ministry, 
and contingent expenses ; and to expedite the 
collection, voted that all those who should pay 
their taxes before the first day of the ensuing 
November should pay nothing for collection, but 
those w^ho should delay payment till after that 
time, should pay one shilling for every pound in 
addition — an important stimulus to punctuality in 
other times. 30^ raised for the highw^ays, and 
a committee appointed to lay it out. It w^as 
agreed that the grass upon the undivided mead- 
ow^s should be mowed by the resident proprietors 
according to the taxes ; and the remainder to be 
equally divided among the other inhabitants. 

Sept. 14. At a full meeting of the proprie- 
tors an order passed that a 3d Division of land 
should be laid out — 100 acres to each proprietor's 
share, made equal in quantity and quality. — 
Richard Jackman, John Fowler, John Coffin, Ens. 
Joseph Gerrish, John Brown and Thomas Thor- 
la appointed a committee to lay out said Division 
as soon as may be. 

Oct. 3 1 . Deacon George Jackman received of 
Henry Rolfe, jun. 4 lbs. of powder, 56 lbs. of bul- 
lets, and 24 flints ; also of Benj. Pettingill 10 lbs. 
of powder, to be used by the settlers in garrison, 
for their defence, as occasion should require. 



Section 7. 

Oct. 30, 1744. At an adjourned meeting from 
the 1 7th inst. the proprietors provided for the ex- 



36 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

penses of the current year, and raised 126/. old 
tenor, exclusive of the aid of the inhabitants of 
the plantation, to fortify the dwelling-house of 
the Rev. Mr. Stevens. Ttiis became necessary, 
because the hostility of the Indians v^^as increas- 
ing, and their depredations were more distressing^ 
arising from the late declaration of war by Eng- 
land against France. Though the seat of war 
was far distant, upon the eastern coast, yet the 
Indian tribes in Canada, along the river St. Law- 
rence and upon the Lakes, strongly attached to 
France, both by interest and religion, sallied forth 
upon the defenceless frontier settlements : took 
many captive, and some they barbarously mas- 
sacred. 

The committee appointed to lay out the 3d 
Division made their report, which was accepted. 
John Brown, the surveyor, was allowed 30/. old 
tenor, for his service, and each of the committee 
1 2^. per day, for their attendance. And to meet 
the expense of laying out this division of land, 
the proprietors raised 122/. and appointed John 
Brown to draw the lots for them, on their pay- 
ing each his proportion of the whole expense. 

June 4, 1745. The proprietors met at Contoo- 
cook, to transact their annual business, and raised 
250/. for the support of the ministry, and other 
expenditures. 

On the 17th of June the strongly fortified 
town of Louisbourg, situated on the S. E. side of 
Cape Breton, was surrendered by the French Go- 
vernor Duchambon, to the English, after a siege 
of 49 days. This famous expedition, which re- 
flected the highest honor upon New-England, was 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 37 

said and generally believed to have been planned 
hy William Vanghan, of New-Hampshire.* Per- 
mission was obtained from the Crown, by Govern- 
or Shirley, who solicited the aid of Governor 
Wentworth, and by the united land force princi- 
pally from Massachusetts and New-Hampshire, 
under the command of Gen. William Pepperell, 
and the naval force under Admiral Warren, 
through a series of very remarkable providences, 
a very signal victory was attained. The expense 
of this expedition, and paid by the crow n of Eng- 
land, was 16,355 pounds sterling. But how^ev- 
er signal this victory, the war w as not terminated. 
The Governor of Canada, encouraged and aided 
the Indians to make depredations upon the colo- 
nists ; consequently the fields, cattle and mills of 
the defenceless inhabitants were destroyed, and 
some of them killed, and others taken captives. 

1 746. On the 4th of May, Mr. Thomas Cook, 
and Caesar, a man of color, were killed at Clay- 
hill, Contoocook, and a Mr. Jones was taken cap- 
tive and carried to Canada, and there died. This 
was a very alarming and distressing circumstance 
to the rest of the settlers. The proprietors call- 
ed a meeting, (Dec. 30,) and united in a petition 
to the Executive of the Government of New- 
Hampshire to provide for the defence of the dis- 
tressed inhabitants of their plantation. 

June 30, 1747. Joseph Coffin was appointed 
agent in behalf of the proprietors, to present a 
petition to the Government of the Province for 
power to collect taxes, who received 9/. old tenor, 
for the service. 



* See N. H. Hist. Collections for June, 1823. 



38 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

Nov, 171h. The annual business of the pro- 
prietors was attended to at this meeting held at 
Contoocook. Raised 250/. old tenor, for the min- 
istry and other expenses ; and appointed Joseph 
Gerrish, Esq. Agent to apply to the General 
Court for power to collect taxes ; and voted that 
the expense of the present meeting be paid by 
tlie whole proprietors, amounting to 40-s. old tenor 
—nearly SI 50 ; clearly evincing the intention of 
the proprietors, that their whole expense should 
be equally borne. 

iVoy. 29, 1748. There was a meeting at Con- 
toocook for the choice of officers, and for the as- 
sessment of 50.9. upon each proprietor for incident- 
al charges. 



Section 8. 

1749. It is not unusual in the settlement of 
new countries for new sources of fear to be open- 
ed, and for real difficulties to arise, where none 
had been contemplated. There was about this 
time much excitement occasioned by the heir of 
Mason in his claim upon a very extensive territory 
in New-Hampshire. The proprietors of Contoo- 
cook had heard of this clairn^ and for which they 
supposed such arrangements were made, that from 
it no evils need be apprehended ; yet now they 
had reason to fear that the course pursued would 
deeply affect their interest. Though their Plant- 
ation had been granted them by Massachusetts, 
they found it lying within the limits of an ante- 
rior claim in full force. 



HISTORY OF BOS C A WEN. 39 

To satisfy those who may inquire respecting 
this claim it may be observed that the grant made 
to Mason by the Crown of England was that por- 
tion of New-Hampshire contained in the follow- 
ing description : Beginning at the sea. and run- 
ning on the westwardly line of the State 60 miles, 
and also beginning at the sea and running on the 
eastwardly line 60 miles, and thence running 
across the Province from point to point, would 
give the complement of the grant, allowing for 
the curve upon the sea-shore ; which, as contend- 
ed for by succeeding proprietors, required a curve 
line in the interior, greatly enlarging the claim 
above a straight line. The heir of Mason was in- 
duced to give the refusal of his claim to the gov- 
ernment of the Province, for the reasonable con- 
sideration of 1000/. New-England currency ; but 
the business was delayed on the part of the gov- 
ernment, so that before they were ready to con- 
clude the contract, and thus hold out a lure to all 
those disposed to possess themselves of the unim- 
proved lands, he sold the whole of his claim^ in 
fifteen shares, to twelve persons, for fifteen hun- 
dred pounds, current money, Jan. 30, 1746. — 
(^Belknap's Jlccoimt.) 

The persons to whom this transfer of the Roy- 
al Grant was made, were termed Lords Propri- 
etors. They, anticipating that popular displeasure, 
which would recoil on them for possessing them- 
selves of the power of disposing of all the lands 
within the limits of their purchase, on their own 
terms, endeavoured to sooth the public excite- 
ment, by generously and prudently quit -claiming 
SL number of the towns already granted and set- 



40 HISTORY OP BOSCAWEN. 

tied. But other settlements and grants made by 
Massachnsetts westwardly of Merrimack river, 
and all the non-resident lands, were held subject 
to their exactions. 

This state of things induced the proprie- 
tors of Contoocook, Feb. 1, 1749, to appoint 
a committee composed of Capt. Moses Gerrish, 
Joseph Coffin, Captc Joseph Gerrish, and John 
Brown, who was afterwards added, to treat with 
the Lords Proprietors, and if possible to come to 
some agreement with them respecting their plan- 
tation, favorable to the settlement. There was 
nothing immediately done except some encourage- 
ment given. The business thus remained in sus- 
pense, for about four years, (1753) when the 
Lords Proprietors were disposed, very honourably, 
to lodge in the Register's Office a quit-claim deed^ 
to the proprietors of several townships on the west- 
wardly side of Merrimack river, granted by Mas- 
sachusetts, which secured to the proprietors of 
Contoocook the title sought, without any further 
expense. The before-mentioned committee were 
also authorized to petition the Government of the 
Province to incorporate their plantation into a 
town ; the petition was presented, but not grant- 
ed. 

About this time peace was established with the 
northern tribes of Indians, but it afforded very 
little restraint upon their depredating spirit. 

May ^5. The proprietors having elected the cus- 
tomary officers, on passing the vote to raise 250/. 
old tenor,for the support of the ministry, Mr. Sam- 
uel Fowler entered his dissent against the vote. 

Some damage had accrued to the proprietors in 
consequence of unseasonably turning cattle upon 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 41 

the intervals, therefore a committee of seven 
were appointed to close and open said intervals at 
proper times. 

A tax of 40/. old tenor was assessed upon those 
proprietors living on the plantation, in addition to 
what they paid in equality with other proprie- 
tors and inhabitants. 

Nov. 30. Meeting at Newbury ; chose a large 
committee to adjust the outstanding debts of the 
proprietors ; to make a particular settlement with 
Rev. Mr. Stevens, and see how much is his due, 
as a fulfilment of the terms of his settlement, 
and report at the next meeting. 

May 24, 1750. Met at Contoocook, and hav- 
ing attended to the annual business, heard the re- 
port of proprietors' committee on their account 
with Rev. Mr. Stevens, viz. '^ That by reason of 
the depreciation of the bills of credit, in which 
Mr. S.'s salary had been paid during his continu- 
ance with them, he had a just claim on them for 
an indemnity : accordingly they voted to make 
him the honorable remuneration of 300/. N. H. 
old tenor." In doing this the proprietors mani- 
fested their regard for justice, and expressed the 
feelings of a people, faithful to their pastor, whom 
they respected and loved for his work's sake. But 
to this procedure Mr. Samuel Fowler entered 
his solemn protest in writing, which was duly 
recorded by the clerk. Mr. F. was induced to 
do this, not from personal dislike to the minister, 
nor to embarrass the proceedings of the proprie- 
tors, but for conscience's sake. He was of the 
denomination of Friends ; and while he uniform- 
ly professed a readiness to use his utmost ability 



42 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

for the advancement of the settlement, and punc- 
tually to pay his proportion of all other taxes, he 
could not with a clear conscience help support the 
public worship of God in this way. For this 
year the proprietors abated his tax to the ministry, 
and though taxed as usual for the five following 
years, yet each tax was remitted, and it does not 
appear from record that he ever paid any thing 
for the support of the ministry afterward. 

Nov. 6. Again the proprietors applied to the 
General Court for corporate powers, but did not 
succeed. 



Section 9. 

May 22, 1751.. The proprietors met and chose 
their annual officers ; ordered a way to be open- 
ed to the upper interval ; directed such a tax to 
be levied as would meet their engagement to Mr. 
Stevens ; also for highways and to pay collectors. 
And as some proprietors had done but little toward 
advancing the settlement, 1 Os. old tenor was or- 
dered to be assessed upon the right of every such 
proprietor. 

May 20, 1752. In addition to the annual bu- 
siness, the proprietors at this meeting voted to 
raise 200/. old tenor, to build a second fort imme- 
diately, 110 feet square ; the same to be erected 
on Samuel Gerrish's lot, and Jacob .Flanders, 
Richard Jackman and Stephen Gerrish were em- 
powered to execute the order. Likewise to 
raise 100/. to fortify Rev. Mr. Stevens' house by 
the same committee. 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 43 

The call for this defence was the returning hos- 
tility of the Indians of the St. Francis tribe, call- 
ed the Jirosaguntacook tribe. 

Preparations were making, under the direction 
of the government of the province, for settling 
Haverhill and Newbury, in Coos. This tribe, 
jealous of an encroachment upon their hunting 
ground, remonstrated, and threatened a retaliation. 
The business, for the present was intermitted, yet 
the Indians scoured the w^oods, and spread them- 
selves among the settlers. Two of them, named 
Sabatis and Plausawa spent some time at Can- 
terbury, and were considered very friendly ; but 
suddenly disappeared, and carried with them two 
negro men belonging to Messrs. Miles & Lindsey. 
One of these negroes effected his escape, the oth- 
er was carried to Crown Point, and sold to a 
French officer. Belknap has noticed the event. 
Others about this time were taken captive in oth- 
er places ; among whom was John Stark, then 
hunting near Baker's River, afterwards distin- 
guished in the revolution. 

May 30, 1753. The bills of credit of the N. 
H. old tenor were so depreciated that it was 
found difficult to fulfil contracts equitably ; hence 
the proprietors raised for incidental charges, 8/. 
(lawful) they say equal to 60/. old tenor ; 826,67, 
instead of S45,10, the original value : and order- 
ed the assessors to make good their contract with 
Rev. Mr. Stevens. 

All fears excited by Mason's Claim, as it re- 
spects Contoocook, were put to rest ; though in 
respect of other parts of the province there was 
not a final adjustment till after the Revolutionary 
war. 



44 HISTORY OF BOSCAAYEN. 

It is well remembered by several, that in June 
Sabatis and Plausawa, the Indians, who the 
preceding year carried away the two negroes from 
Canterbury were killed near Indian-bridge^ so 
called, in Contoocook,* by Bowen and Morril. 
This was done in a time of peace, and therefore 
the perpetrators were apprehended and imprison- 
ed at Portsmouth, but the night before the day set 
for their trial, the prison was forced and they li- 
berated. Some attempt was made to bring the 
rioters to justice, as well as to restore the prison- 
ers, but to no avail ; and finally the whole result- 
ed in the public mind as deeds of merit. 

May 19, 1754. Proprietors met at Contoo- 
cook ; made choice of annual officers, and agreed 
to secure to Rev. Mr. Stevens ^175, equal to sil- 
ver at the rate of 29.s. per ounce, the original con- 
tract. Six men attended this meeting, from 
Newbury, and were compensated for their attend- 
ance, by ^ 1 2 old tenor each. 

The ^300 formerly raised for building a second 
fort, &c. not having been applied, and from the 
apparent disposition of the enemy not being need- 
ed, was ordered to be equally divided among the 
proprietors. But notwithstanding this year was 
marked by the very interesting and alarming cir- 
cumstances of the captivity of Mr. Meloon's fam- 
ily, and the murder of Mrs. Call, &c., to be no- 
ticed in the Narratives of Captivities. 

* Belknap from misinformation says " killed in Canterbury." 



history op boscawen. 45 

Section 10. 

1755. At the commencement of this year the 
Church and people of Contoocook, as well as all 
the proprietors experienced a very interesting and 
solemn providence in the sudden death of their 
reverend and beloved Pastor, Mr. Stevens, who 
died Jan. 19, 1755, in the 16th year of his minis- 
try. 

We have not the means of ascertaining partic- 
ularly the success of his labors for want of church 
records ; but that he was very dear to the people of 
his charge, and his services satisfactory, are evi- 
denced by their united attachment to his interest 
amid the trying scenes asid sufferings, to which 
both he and they were calhd. And perhaps it 
were not necessary, if it were possible, for the 
proprietary to give stronger proof of their confi- 
dence, affectionate regard, and of their estimation 
of his worth, than was done by their uniform inten- 
tion to do him justice ; to procure his safety, and 
to administer to his comfort. 

The army under the command of Gen. Brad- 
dock was defeated by the French and Indians at 
Fort du Quesne, on the Ohio, in the month of Ju- 
ly. The General and a number of his brave men 
were killed ; and the retreat of the residue was 
conducted by Col. George Washington. 

Feb. 11. A new agency was appointed to the 
General Court for incorporate powers ; for this 
there was a special call, as their taxes and the dif- 
ficulty of collecting them increased. 



46 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

June 1 2. At this meeting, beside choosing of- 
ficers, several committees were appointed ; one to 
settle with the administratrix of the Rev. Mr. S.'s 
estate ; another to provide a preacher for the sea- 
son, and Mr. Varney was employed ; a 3d, to take 
care of the parsonage lands ; and a 4th, to procure 
20 lbs. of powder, and lead and flints sufficient for 
the necessary use and protection of the settlers. 
Raised ^400 for current expenses, and 90^ 17s. 
old tenor, to meet the expense of Rev. Mr. S.'s 
funeral. 

Feb. 19, 1756. Mr. Varney was employed to 
preach the ensuing season. 

June I, 1756. The proprietors met at Contoo- 
cook, and it seems from the record that this was 
the last meeting of the proprietors before the plant- 
ation was incorporated into a town. 

The most of the business of the proprietors at 
their meetings particularly related to the settlers, 
and not to their own department ; and as the set- 
tlers had so much increased in numbers, the pro- 
prietors felt it to be very desirable to be relieved 
from any further concern in the government of 
the inhabitants. They had frequently and im- 
portunately applied to the General Court for the 
grant of incorporate powers to the plantation, but 
without avail. Loth to wave a subject so pressing, 
they once more appointed an agency, composed 
of Joseph Coffin, John Moody, and Capt. Stephen 
Gerrish, to set forth to the Court the urgency of 
their request, that they might leave the inhabit- 
ants of their plantation in a capacity to enjoy and 
improve town privileges, and to bring their own 
business to a speedy conclusion. It was their last 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 47 

appeal, and they were successful in it, though the 
act of incorporation did not pass till nearly three 
years afterward. 

The proprietors of Contoocook having steadily 
pursued the object of tlieir association, wisely cal- 
culating and ably executing their plans ; — and 
uniformly showing their intentions to provide for 
the spiritual as well as temporal interest of those 
for whom they acted. They closed their present 
meeting by an order on their treasurer for 10/. 
old tenor, to be paid to each of six gentlemen from 
Newbury for their attendance. 

Note. The remaining part of the proceedings of the propri- 
etors will be noted in the Register ol the town of Boscawen, as 
occasion may offer. 



The following sections exhibit the Chronological 
History of the town of Boscawen from the 
time of its incorporation in the year 1760, to 
the year 1820. 

Section 11. 

1760. While the proprietors' petition for in- 
corporating their plantation was before the govern- 
ment of the Province of N. H., the reduction and 
demolition of Louisbourg, so important to New- 
England, took place. This event gave great cele- 
brity to the character of Admiral Boscawen and 
Gen. Amherst, and furnished the name Boscawen 
to the plantation, grateful to the feelings of those 



48 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

whose past experience of sufferings, and cruelty 
were so closely associated with the Indian name, 
ContoGCOok. 

The first act of incorporation, for reasons to us 
unknown, extended only to the term of two years 
from April 22, 1760 ; and is here transcribed : 

PROVINCE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 

George the Second^ by the grace of God^ of Great Britain, France 
and Ireland, -^'^''o? Defender of the Faith, he. 

To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting. 

Whereas our Xoy^X subjects, inhabitants of a tract of land within 
our Province of New-Hampshire, known by the name of Contoo- 
cook, have humbly petitioned and requested that they may be 
erected and incorporated into a township, and enfranchised with 
the powers and privileges which other towns within our said 
Province by law have and enjoy ; and it appearing to us to be 
conducive to the general good of our said province, as well as 
to the said inhabitants in particular, by maintaining order and en- 
couraging the culture of lands, that the same should be done. 

Know ye, therefore, that of our special Grace's certain knowl- 
edge, and for the encouraging the good order and purposes afore- 
said, by and with the advice of our trusty and well beloved Penning 
Wentworth, Esq., our Governor and commander in chief, and of 
our council for said Province of New-Hampshire, have erected, 
and ordained, and by these presents, for us, our heirs and succes- 
sors, do will and ordain that the inhabitants of the tract of land 
aforesaid, or that shall inhabit, or improve thereon, the same 
being limited and bounded as follows : Beginning at the south- 
erly side of Contoocook river's mouth, where the same falls into 
Merrimack river, running thence on a course west, seventeen 
degrees south, seven miles and one hundred rods, measured Irom 
a forked white pine near the mouth of Contoocook river, to a 
pitch pine and heap of stones ; — and from said pitch pine and 
heap of stones running north seventeen degrees west seven miles 
to a forked beech marked ; and thence on a course east seven- 
teen degrees north to Merrimack river to a heap of stones ; 
thence by the river as the same runs to the mouth of Contoo- 
cook river again where it began : Shall have, and by these pres- 
ents are declared, ordained to be a town corporate, and are 
hereby erected and incorporated into a body politic and corpo- 
rate, to have a continuance two years only by the name of Bos- 
c.awen, with all the powers, authorities, privileges, immunitie* 



HISTORY OP BOSCAWE!*. 49 

aurl frimchises which any other town in said Province by law holds 
anl enjoys ; always reserving to us, our heirs, and successors, all 
wnits pine trees that are, or shall be found growing, and being on 
said land fit for the use of our Royal Navy, reserving to us, our 
heirs and successors the power and right of dividing said town when 
it shall appear necessary and convenient, for the benefit of the in- 
habitants thereof; — Provided nevertheless., and it is hereby de- 
clared, that this our Charter and Grant is not intended, nor shall 
in any m mner be construed to extend to or effect the private 
property of tha soil within the limits aforesaid ; and as the sev- 
eral towns within our said Province of New-Hampshire are by 
the laws thereof enabled and authorized to assemble, and by a 
majonty of voters present to choose all such officers and trans- 
act such affairs as by the said laws are declared. 

We do by these presents nominate and appoint Col. Joseph 
Coffin, Esq. to call the first meeting of said inhabitants, to be 
held within the said town at any time within sixty days from the 
date heraof, by giving legal notice of the time and design of 
holding such meeting ; — after which the annual meeting of said 
town for the choice of such officers, and management of the af- 
fail's aforesjud shall be held within the same on the first Tuesday 
of March annually. 

In testimony whereof, we have caused the seal of our said 
Province to be hereunto affixed. Witness, Benning Wentworth, 
Esq. our Governor and commander in chief of our said Prov- 
ince of New-Hampshire, this twenty-second day of April, in the 
thirty-third year of our reign, and in the year of our Lord Christ 
«ne thousand seven hundred and sixty. 

BENNING WENTWORTH. 

By His Excellency's command, 
with advice of council, 

Theodore Atkinson, Secretary. 

Province of New-Hampshire, Sept. 23, 1760, Recorded in the, 
Book of Charters, page 221. 

Theodore Atkinson, Secretary. 

On Wednesday, June 18, 1760, conformably to 
the order contained in the foregoing act of incor- 
poration, to Col. Joseph Coffin directed, the Jirsf 
meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants 
of the town of Boscawen was convoked at the 
meeting-house in said town. Col. Coffin wa>: 
7 



50 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

chosen Moderator, and George Jackman, jun. 
Clerk for the year, who was re-chosen for the fol- 
lowing thirty-five years successively.* 

The town beina" thus organized, provision was 
made for erecting a town pound. 

July 10. Being destitute of a settled minister, 
the town raised ^'1200 old tenor ; — ^800 upon 
the proprietors' rights, and ^400 upon the polls 
and estate of the inhabitants, for preaching and 
other expenses of the year. Also appointed a 
committee to provide a preacher, and Mr. Robie 
Morrill was employed. The pulpit had been sup- 
plied the two preceding seasons by Mr. Stephen 
Scales. The town found it necessary to call in 
the arrearages of the income of the parsonage 
and school lands. 

George Jackman, jun. was appointed the first 
justice of the peace in the town of Boscawen, by 
his Majesty's authority, King George II. 

This was a year of great plenty, but was fol- 
lowed by two years of great drought and scarcity. 



Section 12. 

March 3, 1761. The inhabitants of the town 
were desirous of re-settling the gospel ministry 
among them. The duty of selecting the minis- 

* Lest the Register of the town proceedings, and important 
events shotild be interrupted and obscured by naming the officers 
chosen at the annual meetings — such as moderator, Town Clerk, 
Selectmen, Ptepresentatives, &c. — they are here omitted, and are 
to be found in a compact List in the 3d Part. 



HISTORY OP BOSCAWEN. 51 

ter now devolved on them, though they felt inad- 
equate to his support without assistance from the 
proprietary. At their annual meeting, therefore, 
Capt. Stephen Gerrish, and Dea. George Jackman 
were chosen a committee to employ a preacher 
with a view to his settlement ; and Mr. Robie 
Morrill, who for some time had preached to good 
acceptance, was employed on probation. 

The town made provision for the support of a 
school two months the present year. 

Sept. 9. A meeting of the proprietors was called 
by Ezra Carter, Esq. one of his Majesty's justices of 
the peace, and attended in Boscawen ; not having 
had a formal meeting for nearly four years, as ap- 
pears from the silence of their records. Capt. Ste- 
phen Gerrish was chosen Moderator — Deacon 
George Jackman, proprietors' Clerk — to succeed 
Col. Joseph Coffin, who had served the proprietors 
in that office with great ability, punctuality and 
faithfulness for more than 28 years. Other offi- 
cers were chosen, and a committee composed of 
John Flanders, Moses Call and Richard Flood to 
call future meetings of the proprietors on applica- 
tion of one sixteenth part of the whole proprietary. 
Said meetings to be publicly notified, according to 
laWj at Newbury and at Boscawen. Provision was 
made for settling up all accounts open with former 
collectors and committees ; and for repairing their 
meeting-house in Boscawen. And finding the 
inhabitants disposed to settle Mr. Morrill in the 
ministry, the proprietors voted ^300 old tenor to- 
ward defraying the expense of his ordination and 
support ; and gave such encouragement for fur- 
ther aid, that the town proceeded to invite, and, on 



52 HISTORY OF B09CATVTT>J, 

his acceptance of their invitation, Mr. Morrill was 
ordained pastor of the church in Boscawen Dec. 
29, 1761. 

1762. At subsequent meetings, April 7, and 
June 2, 1762, the proprietors procured a right of 
land of Maj. Samuel Gerrish, at the expense of 
si 1000 New-Hampshire money, and conferred 
the same upon the Rev. Mr. Morrill, and bis beirs 
forever : — likewise, in unison with the town, vo- 
ted him an annual salary of s8700 of the same 
currency ; — one third to be assessed i pon the 
polls of stock of the inhabitants, ond the remain- 
ing two thirds to be assessed upon the lands of 
the proprietors : said salary to begin at the time 
of ordination, Dec. 29th. The use of the parsim- 
age,a matter of course. Thus they evidenced their 
characteristic regard for the gospel ministry, by 
so generously aiding in the settlement of a second 
minister in town ; but Mr. Samuel Fowler was 
excused from paying his proportion of this benefit 
cence, at his own request. 

At their meeting June 2, the proprietors agreed 
to lay out the 4th division of their land in 45 
acre lots ; and appointed Capt. Stephen Gerrish, 
Maj. Samuel Gerrish, John Webster, Samuel 
Moody, and John Brown, Esq. their committee — 
and Mr. Brown to be the surveyor. 

The war being now over, the fort, which had 
been occupied by all the inhabitants for more than 
twenty-two years, was no longer needed as a garri- 
son, and the proprietors gave liberty to all who 
had erected framed buildings therein, to remove 
them to tlieir several farms which they might now 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. Uu 

cultivate unmolested, — without the dreadful ap- 
prehension of meeting savage cruelty. 



Section 13. 

Jan, 5, 1763. A meeting of the proprietors was 
called by their committee and adjourned to the 
1st of June, when the 4th division was reported 
as laid out by their committee ; and the proprie- 
tors agreed that the lots should be drawn both in 
B,)scawen and Newbury to accommodate the resi- 
dent and nonresident proprietors. The expence 
of this survey was 207/. old tenor to John Brown, 
Esq. surveyor; 3/. 10«. per day to each of the 
committee ; and 3/. per day to each of the chain- 
men. 

The proprietors in favor to Rev. Mr. Morrill, 
permitted him to choose the 45 acre lot belongin<r' 
to his right ; and he chose lot No. 3, on Cold^ 
brook. Likewise gave to Mr. Morrill the im- 
provement of the school and meeting-house lots 
for the term of four years. 

Provision was made for settling with the estate 
of the former minister, Mr. Stevens, and all oth- 
er accounts open with the proprietors ; — and con- 
cluded their meeting by confirming sundry votes, 
which they had past iw/orma% in the years 1758, 
'59 and '60, while their petition for incorpora- 
tion was pending. 

The town of Boscawen did not hold their an- 
nual meeting this year in March, because their 
first charter, which was to continue only for two 



54 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

years had run out, and a new one, or confirmation 
of the old one, had not yet been given. But 
through the agency of Mr. John Webster, em- 
ployed by the town, a renewal of their town- 
charter was received in the month of Oct. 17G3; 
and here follows : 

PROVINCE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 

George the Third, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France 
and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &.c. 

Whereas our late roj'al Grandfather King Georg-e the Second, 
ofc^lorious memory, did of his special Grace, and upon the peti- 
tion of the inhabitants of a tract of land in our said Province, 
known by the name of Boscawen, and lor the maintaining good 
order, and encouragjng the culture of the land thereby, his let- 
ters patent or charter under the seal of our said Provir.ce dated 
the twenty-second day of April in the thirty-third year of his 
reign, and in the year of our Lord 1760, — did erect and incoi'po- 
rate into a body corporate and politic, by the name of Boscawen, 
the inhabitants of the said tract of land, or those that shall there- 
on inhabit said Province, being butted and bounded as in the said 
patent, or charter expi'essed, and was to continue 'till the expira- 
tion of two years and no longer, which time being now elapsed, 
and the inhabitmits having again petitioned to have the said char- 
ter privileges renewed, and it appearing to us necessary to ans- 
wer the good proposed, as well as to enable the inhabitants afore- 
said to assess, and collect their rates and taxes. 

Know ye, that we, being willing to promote the good end pro- 
posed, have of our fux'ther grace and favour, by and with the ad- 
vice of our trusty and well beloved Benning Wentworth, Esq. 
our Governor, and Commander in Chief, and of our Council lor 
said Province, revived and regranted, and by these presents do 
revive and regrant unto the said inhabitants and their successors 
on the said tract of land, all the powers, authorities, [ rivileges, 
immunities and franchises in the said charter mentioned, as they 
enjoyed the same when that charter was in force, and to have 
continuance till we shall approve or disallow the same, and sig- 
nify much our approbation or disallowance ; and about any dis- 
pute that ma}' arise about the authority in calling a meeting of 
the inhabitants, &c. the selectmen or those that were appointed 
to that office, and served therein for the last time, or the town 
clerk, are hereby authorized iri the usual form and method to 
notify, and call a meeting of the inhabitants for the choice ol 
town officers and other affairs of the town. 



. HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 55 

In testimony whereof, we have caused tlie seal of our said 
rrovince to be hereunto alfised. 

Witness, Benning Wentworth, Esq. our Governor and Com- 
nmnderin Chief, this seventh day of October, in the third year 
of our reign, A. D. 1763. 

BENNING WENTWORTH. 
By his Excellency's command, 
with the advice of Council, 

THEonouE Atkinson, Secretary. 
Province OF New-Hampshire, Oct. thesevcnih^ 1763. Kccord- 
pj\ in the book of Charters, No. 1, page 2G0. 

Nov. 1,1763. Agreeably to the provisions of 
the foregoing renewal of the town charter, George 
Jackman, Esq. Town Clerk, called a meeting of 
the freeholders and other inhabitants of the town 
of Boscawen for the choice of town officers ; — 
MO other business of importance was attended to. 

Jan. 9th, 1764. The town awarded Mr. John 
Webster £82 old tenor for his time and expens- 
es in obtaining a second permanent act of incor- 
poration. 

March 6th. At the annual meeting, after elect- 
ing town officers for the year, several committees 
were appointed, viz. 

To settle accounts with former selectmen ; to 
lay out high w^ays which may be necessary ; to 
take care of the school lands ; to settle the line 
between the Parsonage and Mrs. Varney's inter- 
val lots ; to open and shut the interval, spring 
and fall ; and a committee of four to proportion 
the fence round the upper interval to the several 
proprietors. 

There was no provision made for a school the 
present year ; but the town voted to make good the 
salary of Rev. Mr. Morrill, the value of which 
had depreciated : against this vote Capt. Stepheto 



56 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN, 

Gerrish entered his dissent. The indemnity al- 
lowed Mr. Morrill, by the town, for the two last 
years was ^'200 old tenor, at the rate £6 for 
a dollar for the 1st year, and £7 per dollar for 
the 2d year .And this year, George Jackman, jun. 
Esq. was appointed Clerk of the proprietors, in 
place of Dea. G. Jackman. 



Section 14. 

1765. The stamp-act passed by the British 
Parliament furnished matter of grievance to the 
American Colonies. About this time, the Province 
Road was laid out by royal authority, JohnWent- 
worth, Governor, through the Province of New- 
Hampshire, from Portsmouth to No. 4, or Charles- 
town. Also a bridge was built over Contoocook 
river, near Capt. John Chandler's, by John Flan- 
ders and Capt. Henry Lovejoy. Said bridge con- 
structed with king-posts and long braces. 

1766. The Rev. Mr. Morrill had been settled 
but a few years ; but from the depreciation of the 
value of his salary, and the acts of the town in 
making him an indemnity ; difficulties arose which 
threatened his removal. Some of the people had 
already withdrawn from his support, and united 
with the Episcopalian church : the town, there- 
fore, at a legal meeting, after consulting upon the 
state of things, appointed a committee of five to 
wait upon the Rev. Mr. Morrill, and ascertain, on 
what conditions he would take a dismission. 



HISTORY OP BOSCAWEN. 57 

The Rev. Mr. Morrill was disposed to make a 
statement of the terms for giving up his contract, 
at an adjourned meeting, which the town readily 
accepted ; and also voted to be at the expense of 
entertaining the mutual council to be called, to 
dissolve the pastoral relation : accordingly, the 
church, having consented to the procedure, the 
Rev. Mr. Morrill was regularly dismissed on the 
9th diy of December, 1766 ; but continued in 
town a very useful, respectable and exemplary 
citizen till the day of his death ; which was Sept. 
23, 1813, at the age of 77 years. 

Mtrch 3, 1767. Provision was made at the 
annual meeting for three months schooling the 
present year. The selectmen were directed to 
employ a " regular preacher," and Mr. Nathaniel 
Merrill was employed. 

July 25. The log meeting-house had become 
greatly impaired ; the town, therefore, took into 
consideration the building a new house, and agreed 
that one should be built near Ephraim Woodbu- 
ry's ; and that Dea. Morrill, Sinkler Bean and 
Capt. Archelaus Moore be a committee to fix on 
the spot ; who accordingly reported, Sept. 8, the 
place on which it was afterwards built. Mr. Mer- 
rill, being well received as a preacher, was em- 
ployed two months on probation for settlement. 

The proprietors held a meeting in Boscaweu 
June 3d, and it seems to have been the opinion of 
the inhabitants of the town that they would as- 
sume the expense of building the contemplated 
meeting-house 5 but when consulted, it was found 
tliat though willing to grant the land fixed on for 
8 



58 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

the building, they were unwilling to erect the 
house. A committee was appointed by the pro- 
prietors to aid the town in recovering the non- 
resident taxes. 

Sept. 6, 1768. After much had been said and 
done respecting a meeting-house, the town chose 
a committee of five, Messrs. Thomas Fox, Benja- 
min Eastman, Peter Kimball, Joseph Atkinson, 
and George Jackman, Esq. to put up a frame at 
the town's expense ; who performed, immediately, 
the business of their appointment. Having thus 
disposed of the meeting-house, another object 
deeply affecting the interests of the town claimed 
attention — the re-settlement of a minister. The 
labors of Mr. N. Merrill proved so satisfactory to 
the church and people, that the town was indu- 
ced to offer him the following terms of settlement, 
viz. eighty acres of land ; an annual salary of 
£42 lawful money, during his ministry ; twenty 
cords of wood annually, and the use of the par- 
sonage. These terms Mr. Merrill was disposed 
to accept ; the town, therefore, agreed that the 
ordination should take place on the third Wednes- 
day of the following October ; appointed a com- 
mittee to provide for the council, and voted S7 
lawful money to defray the expense of ordination. 
And Mr. Merrill was accordingly ordained on 
the day appointed. 

Thus we have seen the inhabitants of Boscaw- 
en though delivered from solicitude respecting oc- 
currences abroad, in the two last years, closely 
occupied by their own very interesting concerns 
-—the dismission of one minister, the re-settle- 



HISTORY or BOSCAWEN. 59 

ment of another and preparations made for the 
erection of a decent house for public worship. 

At a meeting of proprietors, Oct. 6, 60/. lawful 
money was voted to defray the expenses of the 
proprietary. And here it may be observed, that 
lawful money came into general use in reckoning 
in place of the Massachusetts and New-Hamp- 
shire old tenor. 



Section 15. 

July 25, 1769. A town meeting was held at 
the new meeting-house frame to the end of provi- 
ding for the completion of the building. The town 
raised 250/. old tenor to be added to what might 
arise from the sale of the pew-ground ; and a vote 
passed that this sum should be paid in work at 
505. per day — about 42 cents lawful money. 
The time assigned for the sale of the pews, was 
the 1st of August following ; and they were ac- 
cordingly sold. 

1770. The 5th of March was a memorable 
day, on account of the bloody scene opened in 
Boston,between several English soldiers and Amer- 
icans. The dispute arose from the jealousy excited 
in the breasts of our countrymen by certain ar- 
bitrary acts of the mother country ; but ended in 
the wanton butchery of several young men. It 
bears the descriptive name massacre. 

March 6. The town employed Mr. Robie 
Morrill to keep a school four months ; and com- 
pensated him by the use of the school-right, and 
both the house and interval lots a limited time. 



60 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

It became necessary to open the province road 
through this town to No. 4, Chariestown. The 
proprietors, therefore, Oct. 23, raised S250 to- 
ward defraying the expense, and the town united 
in aiding the business. 

June 11, 1771. To fulfil the contract made 
with Rev. Nathl. Merrill at his settlement, the 
town procured of Capt. Henry Gerrish, eighty 
acres of land for 100 dollars. 

May 5, 1772. A bridge was built over Black- 
water river by the town ; and a road opened, at 
the expense of the proprietors, to the upper in- 
terval. 

August 30, 1772. The first grand juror called 
for, to attend his Majesty's superior court at Am- 
herst, and Capt. Henry Gerrish was elected and 
served ; and received from the town 10s. lawful 
money as compensation for each term. 

For several years the measures adopted by the 
mother country in relation to the American col- 
onies were deemed by them an abridgment of 
their rights, and their feelings w^ere fast preparing 
to make open resistance to the unjust exactions. 
" Although Parliament had repealed the odious 
" Stamp-Ad^ yet, in a few months, new duties 
" were imposed upon paper, glass, tea, &c., for the 
" purpose of raising a revenue to the crown ; but 
" finding that discontent existed among the colo- 
" m'sts, the duties were all removed, except that on 
" tea. And this was under such management as to 
" exempt the Importer from all duty, and throw the 
" whole weight of an enormous and perpetual bur- 
"den upon loyal subjects, without their consent" 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 61 

It was not however the burden, but the right of 
laying it, which called for resistance. It was 
viewed intolerable ; therefore, in December, while 
several ships lying in Boston harbor, laden with 
tea, they were boarded by a number of armed 
men, under the disguise of Mohawk Indians ; 
who soon discharged their whole cargo into the 
sea. Deeds of ihe same complexion were done 
in other American ports ; and most of the patri- 
otic colonists voluntarily relinquished the use of 
this article for several years. These acts had their 
influence in preparing the way for those more effi- 
cacious, toward the security of equal rights, and 
the blessings of freedom from intolerable bond- 
age. 

1774. The church and town of Boscawen are 
again deprived of the stated gospel ministry. The 
Rev. Mr. Merrill, who was settled in 1768, was 
removed about the first of April the present year. 
Respecting his removal, and what led to the event, 
no correct information can be had from any writ- 
ten record ; as the records of the town furnish 
none,and the church record was then misplaced,or 
lost,and has never to this day been found. To sup- 
ply this blank in our history, the memories of sev- 
eral now living retain the circumstances of that 
event ; and from this source the following brief 
account is given. 

From some cause, Mr. Merrill was led to join 
himself to the Grafton Presbytery ; and by his 
influence the church was induced, in part, to 
change the congregational for the presbyterian 
form of church government. This new con- 
nexion led Mr. M. often from his flock, to supply 



6^ HISTORY OF B OS C A WEN. 

other vacant churches in the Presbytery, which 
was an occasion of discontent among his own 
charge. The discontent was increased by some 
supposed, if not real aberrations observed in his 
conduct, and proved a fatal bar in the way of his 
usefulness. Mr. M., well aware of this, applied 
to the Presbytery for a removal ; and he was re- 
moved, without the intervention of either the 
church or town. 

In reference to the alteration, which had taken 
place in the form of church government, there 
seems to have been a general excitement ; for in 
a subsequent meeting of the town, Sept. 6, a 
committee of nine was appointed " to confer with 
the church in Boscawen about the government and 
discipline thereof 

July 1 5. By an order from the General Assembly 
of the Province of New-Hampshire, the town met 
to choose a delegate to sit in convention at Exeter 
on the 21st inst. for the choice of members of 
the first Provincial Congress ; and Capt. Henry 
Gerrish was elected. The specific object of the 
first Congress is thus expressed. " To consider 
*• what measures are best to be taken for the es- 
" tablishing the rights and liberties, and for the 
" restoration of the union and harmony between 
" the mother-country and the colonies." 

The harmony between the countries was inter- 
rupted, and the rights and liberties of the colonists 
infringed by successive acts of the British Cabi- 
net ; in laying taxes ; imposing duties ; altering 
the charter of Massachusetts, and setting up a new 
government over the Province ; empowering the 
Governor to send criminals to England for trial ; 



HISTORY OP BOSCAWEN. 68 

having already taken possession of the town of 
Boston by an armed force ; removed the Custom- 
house officers from the town, and shut up its port. 
These w^ere acts affecting the common interest of 
the several colonies, and required their united 
wisdom to devise a speedy remedy, and prevent, 
if possible, the horrors of war. Delegates were 
therefore elected in the then 13 colonies, and met 
in Congress, the 5th of September, at Philadel- 
phia. 

Nov. 1. The town of Boscawen appointed a 
committee to employ immediately " a gospel 
preacher of the congregational order. '^ 



Section 16. 

1775. The annals of 1775 present us with 
3,000,000 of people born free, in general alarm, 
preparing for war ; rushing to the field of battle, 
and there Avitnessing the costly sacrifice of blood 
and treasure, for the security of their freedom. 

Jan. 17. Capt. Henry Gerrish was again cho- 
sen delegate to meet in convention at Exeter the 
25th inst., to elect members for the 2d Congress. 

One barrel of gun-powder, Icwt. of lead, and 
100 flints, were ordered to be procured for the use 
of the town. 

Also voted, to adhere strictly to the advice of 
the Continental Congress, and appointed nine men 
to act as a Committee of Safety. 

March 7. Mr. *S«mMe/ -£^/«, who had been sup- 
plying, was again engaged to preach the ensuing 



64 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

season. May 10, the town consented that a pro- 
portion of preaching should be enjoyed in the 
west part of the town. 

On the alarm hein^^ given at Lexington, numbers 
from this town volunteered, as well as from all 
parts of New-England ; and several joined the 
troops at Cambridge,* three of whom volunteered 
in the expedition to Quebec. 

1776. Congress finding all attempts for are- 
conciliation with the parent-country vain ; in the 
name of the American people, whom they repre- 
Ksented, declared on the 4th of July the thirteen 
United States to be Free and Independent. And 
this declaration gave a systematic energy to the 
war. 

March 5. This town compensated sundry per- 
sons, who volunteered their services on the alarm, 
the preceding year ; chose a large committee of 
safety, agreeably to a recommendation from Con- 
gress ; provided for town schools, and gave the 
people liberty to resolve themselves into school 
districts. Mr. Judson preached in town several 
months. 

March 28, 1777. By an order from the Gener- 
al Court, the town used means for obtaining en- 
listments for the public service, and offered a 
bounty of 50 dollars to those who would enlist 
for three years. Also appointed a committee (May 
26) to fix the price of certain articles of living ; 
it being necessary from the depreciation of the 
paper currency. And such was the patriotism of 

* The number of those who served in the several Campaigns, 
in 1775-76, will be given in the Sd part, with the proceedin|p« 
of the town for their indemnity 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 65 

the people of the town, that they voted, in public 
meeting, not to employ Peter Green, Esq., as an 
Attorney, or Jacob Green as Deputy Sheriff, be- 
cause of their unfriendly feelings towards the 
grand cause of our country. Messrs. Judson and 
Easterbrook were employed to preach. 

Jan. 20,1778. The town was Very desirous 
that Mr. Easterbrook would settle with them in 
the ministry. He did preach several months,, but 
did not consent to settle. 

Provisions were made by the town, under the 
authority of the State, to supply the families of 
those employed in the continental service. 

March 3. That part of the town, west of Bea- 
ver-Dam, were permitted to enjoy their proportion 
of preaching, according to their tax. 

Jlpril 21. George Jackman, Esq., was chosen 
delegate, to meet in convention at Concord, to 
adopt a more permanent system of state govern- 
ment. 

July 7, 1779. The selectmen and Capt. Peter 
Kimball were authorized to provide 4 men for the 
continental service, and 5 men for the defence of 
Rhode-Island. 

Sept. 8. The plan of state government was laid 
before the town, but was not accepted. At this 
meeting, George Jackman, Esq., was chosen dele- 
gate to meet in convention, to regulate the prices 
of sundry articles of living. 

Dec. 0. Col. Henry Gerrish was chosen, to rep- 
resent the towns of Boscawen and Salisbury, in 
the General Court, and to aid in the choice of 
members of Congress. 
9 



^6 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

March 7^ 1780. At this time, the paper curren- 
cy had greatly depreciated, so that a day's work, 
upon the highway, was reckoned at i6, or 20 
dollai-s. And to indemnify the selectmen for 
their services, whose uniform compensation, annu- 
ally, had heen two dollars each, the town engaged, 
at their annual meeting, to give to each of them 
Si 00, paper money, and hco bushels of peas. 

June 22. A committee was chosen to provide 
men for the continental service, and authorized to 
compensate them. J 1000 were raised at the an- 
nual meeting for preaching, and a committee 
chosen to lay it out ; hut the record does not spe- 
cify the person employed. 



Section 17. 

1781. The town of Boscawen had been desti- 
tute of a settled minister for the seven last years, 
though several candidates had heen employed, and 
several attempts made for a settlement. It now 
seemed the united desire of the town, to secure 
such a blessing ; therefore, at their annual meet- 
ing, March 6, the selectmen were directed to as- 
sess such a tax upon the inhabitants, as would sup- 
ply them with a preacher eight months ; and re- 
quested their committee to employ Mr. Samuel 
Wood four sabbatlis, whose late labors among 
them had been generally acceptable. And at 
this meeting, Lt. Enoch Gerrish was chosen 
agent to provide the beef and men required of the 
town for the public service the present year. 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 67 

July 31. A special meeting of the town was 
called, at the request of the church, to ascertain 
the feelings of the people in respect of the labors 
of Mr. Wood ; and also, to his taking the pastoral 
charge of the church, in the work of the gospel 
ministry among them. And the town voted to 
give him an invitation to settle with them in the 
ministry, accompanied with the following encour- 
agement for his support, viz. ^50 a year, for the 
two first years, equal to silver at 6s. 8d. per ounce, 
or in current money, of equal value, as his annual 
salary. After the two first yeai's, to increase ^5 a 
year, to ^70, which should he his stated salary, as 
long as he remained their minister. And also ^90 
settlement, equal to silver at 6s. 8d. per ounce, 
should he settle with them, with the use of the 
parsonage. 

The committee, appointed to present the invi- 
tation and proposals to Mr. Wood, were authorized 
to receive his answer, and, if affirmative, to unite 
with him in fixing the time of his ordination, and 
to make all necessary provision for the same. — 
Mr. Wood was disposed to accept the terms of 
settlement, and accordingly united in the calling a 
council, and was ordained Oct. 17, 1781. 

Sept. 10. The depreciation of the town taxes 
was found to he so great, that the selectmen were 
directed to lay a new tax in silver money, and re- 
duce the old tax to that value. 

Dec. 4. The towns of Salisl)ury and Boscawen 
made a trial, but could not agree, to send a repre- 
sentative to the General Court. The land of de- 
linquent proprietors was sold for taxes, at public 
auction, July 11, 1781. 



68 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

1782. After the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, 
ou the 9th October, there seemed far less anxiety 
in the American people, in respect of the conclu- 
sion of the war. And as the enemy was in the 
southern states, the calls for men and means, for 
the support of the war upon the people of New- 
England, were less frequent and urgent. This 
town did nothing more the present year, than 
(March 5) to re-appoint Lt. Enoch Gerrish their 
agent, to provide the town's proportion of men, 
beef, &c., for the army. 

May. The meeting house in town had been 
built several years ^but, owing to other public ex- 
penses, it still remained unfinished. The town 
now took up the subject, and ordered the gallery- 
pews to be sold, and the avails of the sale to be 
laid out in finishing the house. 
'^ On the 2d day of October, the proprietors held 
a meeting, not having been in session, before, for 
about 10 years. At this meeting, they agreed, that 
all their lands, remaining common and undivided, 
should be sold at public auction ; and they were 
accordingly sold, excepting those appropriated to 
particular uses. Also, the proprietors made a do- 
nation to the town of 400 feet of glass, for the 
meeting house, and appointed Col. Henry Ger- 
rish to procure the same. And at the adjourn- 
ment of the meeting, Nov. 12, they specifically 
reserved two acres of the common land on Clay- 
Hill, as a brick-yard for the town proprietors, and 
concKided their meeting by the appointment of 
George Jackman, Esq., Henry Gerrish, Esq., and 
Mr. Cutting Noyes, a committee to call meetings 
in future. 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. ()9 

1783. After the experience of the privations 
and distresses of an eight years' warfare with a 
nation powerful in arms, a cessation of hostiUties 
is announced, and, Feh. 4, the freedom, sovereign- 
ty and independence of the United States acknowl- 
edged to the universal joy of the American people ; 
being invested by Divine Providence, with the 
richest blessings, to be inherited by unborn gen- 
erations. 

March 4. Notwithstanding the past difficulties 
and discouragements experienced by the inhabit- 
ants of this town, they were generally prosperous 
in their improvements : especially those in the 
westerly part of the town. Such was the in- 
crease of their numbers and property, that it be- 
came desirable, for their convenience, to have a 
house for publie Avorship erected ; the town took 
some measures to this effect, but a nieeting house 
was not built till several years afterward. 

A plan of state government was sent out to the 
people for adoption ; but a majority of the tow n 
objected to the offices of Gov)er7ior and Privy- 
Council. and appointed Rev. Samuel Wood, Henry 
Gerrish, Esq., and Samuel Fowler, delegates to 
the convention, to offer the town's objections. 

^^ug. 18. The 8th article of the Confederation 
between the states was approved of by the town, 
as recommended by the General Court. 

Sept. 29. The Upper Bridge, over Blackwater 
river, was ordered by the town to be built, but 
was not completed till the following year. 

March 2, 1784. The government of the state 
of New-Hampshire being settled, the town gave 
tbeir suffrages for a President and two Senators. 



70 HISTORY 0¥ BOSXJAWEN. 

Dec. 9. Nonresident lands sold at auction, by 
Cutting Noyes, Collector. 

Dec. 30. An agent chosen to defend the town 
in an action brought by Abraham T. Sweat, for 
his bounty as a soldier. 

April 9,5.^ 1785. Measures adopted, to preserve 
{he public lands from injury. 

Sept. 3. The town defended the selectmen in 
un action brought by John Fowler, for his minis- 
ter tax. 

March 7, 1786. There being no present call for 
war stores, Mr. Robie Morrill was directed, by the 
town, to dispose of the ammunition on hand, and to 
reserve the avails for the procurement of a future 
stock, when needed. 

Nov. 24. From the great scarcity of money in 
circulation, the government of New-Hampshire 
called for the public opinion respecting an emission 
of paper ; and this town voted their assent, that 
so much paper should be issued as would redeem 
the state securities, and under such management, 
as to be called in within the term of 7 years. 

In this and the following year, 1787, the gener- 
al tranquility of New-England was greatly in- 
terrupted by what has been termed Shay^s Rebel- 
lion ; or a formidable opposition to the state and 
national governments. It began, and was virulent 
in Massachusetts, but the state of New-Hamp- 
shire was not exempted from its portion of the 
evil. For a while, the rich blessings for which 
our country has fought and bled seemed jeopard- 
ized ; but, by wise and energetic measures, the 
restless spirits of the multitude were quelled ; 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 71 

and this alarming evil opened the way for the 
adoption of our present excellent form of national 
government. 



Section 18. 

March 31, 1787. The town met to choose a 
representative to the General Court ; hut, as shew^- 
ing their unwillingness to he represented, after 
much dehate, they voted not to elect a modera- 
tor. 

Apuil 28. A road was ordered to he opened 
from Black water bridge to Warner line. 

June 4. Delegates were appointed to meet in 
convention, at Warner, on the expediency of pe- 
titioning the General Court, for the removal of 
the Courts of Sessions and Common Pleas from 
Amherst to some town in the northwesterly ptrt 
of Hillsborough county. A petition was present- 
ed and eventually granted, and Hopkinton was 
made a shire town. 

Jan. 14,1788. Capt. Joseph Gerrish was chosen 
delegate to the convention, for the adoption of 
the Federal Constitution ; but, through the influ- 
ence of a few, another meeting was called, May 
23, and a majority of those present voted to re- 
ject said constitution, and elected Samuel Fowler, 
Ejiq. delegate, in room of Capt. Gerrish. The 
procedure, however, was viewed incorrect by 
the Convention, and therefore, the gentleman first 
elected took his seat. 

Dec. 15. Members of the 1st Congress und^r 
the Federal Constitution^ and electors of Presir 



72 HlSTOrtV OF BOSCAWEN. 

dent and Vice-President, ballotted for in a gener- 
al ticket. And on counting the electoral votes, 
at the 1st meeting of Congress, March 4, 1789, 
it was found that Gen. George Washington 
was elected President of the United States, by 
the unanimous voice of his country, and the Hon. 
John Adams, Vice-President. 

The town was not represented in the General 
Court the present year. 

^pril 14. A part of the school lands were dis- 
posed of, in a long lease, at auction, for the sums 
following : — house lot, S124 ; interval lot, S210 ; 
and the eighty acre lot, 8453 ; these sums, making 
S787, to be kept on interest for the sole use of 
the schools in town. The 100, and 45 acre lots 
w ere not at this time disposed of. 

March 3, 1790. The nonresident lands sold by 
Edmund Chadwick, Collector. 

The town called for the money due for pews 
in the gallery of the meeting house, for immedi- 
ate application. And (Dec. 10) ^x)ted that ground 
for four pews be sold, and built on the floor of 
the meeting house now occupied by seats, which 
was accordingly done. 

March 1,1791. Much business was expected 
to fall to the department of the selectmen the 
present year ; the town, therefore, elected Jive to 
serve in that office. 

^pril 6. The inhabitants, in the westerly part 
of the town, having petitioned for the convenience 
of a meeting house — at this meeting a committee 
of eleven was chosen, to consider and report to 
the town on said petition, which was immediately 
done ; and was, for substance, the following. — 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 73 

1. That the town hiiild a meeting house. 2. That 
all meetings on the sabbath, and for public busi- 
ness shall be there attended, according to tlie pro- 
portion of taxes paid by the inhabitants, as soon 
as the house may be occupied. And 3d, that a 
committee of three, viz. James Flanders, Esq., 
Ebenezer Webster, Esq., and Capt. Luke Wilder, 
fix the spot for the erection of the house ; and 
the frame to be raised and the pews sold within 
one year from this date. This report was accept- 
ed by the town. 

Sept. 19. Accordingly a committee of direc- 
tion was appointed. The town fixed on the place 
for the house. Mr. Samuel Jackman contracted 
to procure a frame for 94 dollars; the workman- 
ship was so satisfactory to the town, that a con- 
sideration was made to Mr. J. of SI 6 68 cents. 

Oct. 17. The pews were sold at public auction 
this day. 

1792. As yet, very little had been done for 
the promotion of learning! But at the commence- 
ment of this year, (Feb. 7.) a respectable society 
was formed for the procurement of a Social Li- 
brary. And, as a further encouragement to make 
the education of youth an object of importance, 
the Rev. Mr. Wood, (March 6.) generously prof- 
fered the town the whole avails of the parsonage 
lands, for one year, being 44 dollars ; and, for this 
beneficence, received a cordial vote of thanks 
from the town. 

March 27. It was thought expedient, by the 
town, to dispose of the parsonage lands, and put 
the money on interest. The Rev. Mr. Wood, be- 
10 



74 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

iiig solicited, gave his acquittal, and the whole par- 
sonage right was sold at auction, in separate lots or 
parcels ; and bonds given for the payment, by the 
several purchasers, amounting to 9 1 8 dollars, 

Jiiig. 27. The town voted acceptance of the 
Constitution of the State, as revised and amended 
by the Convention in June last, 

March 5^ 1793. The annual meeting was held, 
for the first time, at the west meeting house. 

Mardi 4, 1794. The town compensated Geo. 
Jackman, Esq., for his past services as Town 
Clerk. 

A large committee was chosen to unite with 
the selectmen in dividing the town into school 
districts, and for building school houses, which was 
accordingly done. 

The Rev. Mr. Wood having relinquished his 
claim upon the parsonage lands, that they might 
be sold — at this meeting, the town voted that he 
have the annual interest on the parsonage lands, 
during his future continuance with tliem in the 
ministry. 

A standard of weights and measures was or- 
dered to be procured for the town, which was 
done by the selectmen. 

The spring of 1794 was very forward ; but it 
is well remembered, that on the night of May 
17th, was the Great Frost in New-England, which 
blasted the very promising hope of most fruits, 
and shortened the crops of corn and grain ; yet 
this deadly frost almost entirely delivered New- 
England from the destructive ravages of the Can^ 
ker- Worm. 



HISTORY OF BOSCAAVEX. 75 

In consequence of depredations made upon our 
commerce by England, at War with France, war 
measures were resorted to by Congress ; and the 
^tate ot iNew-Hampshire was required to furnish 
a proportion of her militia, for our country's de- 
fence. This town encouraged enlistments to go 
mto the service, any time within twelve months 
and to serve three months,after arriving at the place 
of rendezvous ; to be compensated with eight dol- 
lars per month ; one dollar bounty, and, if called 
mto actual service, to have one good blanket. 

Several gentlemen united together, under cer- 
tam regulations, at their own expense, to brin"- 
water, m pipes, to their several houses on Kinff"^ 
street. ^ 



Section 17. 

March 3, 1795. At the annual meeting, some 
alterations and regulations were made in and for 
the several school districts. Likewise a town pound 
was ordered to be built, near Capt. Peter Kim- 
ball's. 

This year, a treaty, called Jay's ^eat y^wsisne^ 
gociated, by Chief Justice Jay, between the 
Lnited States and England ; which settled all dif- 
ficulties, prevented war, and proved highly advan- 
tageous to our common country. 

1796. The last meeting of the proprietors of 
Boscawen was called June 15, and adjourned to 
Aug. 30. Col. Henry Gerrish was then appoint- 
ed agent for the proprietors, to petition the General 
Court of Massachusetts for a township of land, in 



76 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

compensation for Contoocook, formerly granted 
them ; but which, on settlement of the line of 
the state, fell into New-Hampshire ; and therefore, 
by a plausible construction, the grant of Massa- 
chusetts had never been verified. 

Col. Gerrish undertook the agency at his own 
expense, on the proffered condition of his securing 
to Iiimself and heirs one half of all the lands, 
which might be regranted : but however sanguine 
the expectations of the proprietors in the attempt, 
they were never realized. 

At this time, our country was subjected to the 
ordeal of internal convulsions. The conflicting 
opinions, interests and passions of r^icn, threatened 
the prostration of every thing valuable, though 
procured by blood and treasure. In reverting to 
the causes of such a state of things, we readily 
see, that our army, disbanded after an eight years' 
war, carried from the camp, and lodged in all the 
channels of society, the seeds of vice, profligacy, 
and insubordination ; also, the insurrection headed 
by Shays; the revolutionary spirit of France, actu- 
ating Americans ; the neutral ground taken by: 
our executive in relation to the powers at war ; the 
open opposition made to Jay's treaty ; now about 
to cliange the administration, and in full prospect 
of a war with France for redress of our commer- 
cial injuries ; were things combined, and resolved 
the American people into two distinct political 
parties, decided friends or decided opposers of the 
administration of our national government. 

From north to south, in every state, county, 
town and village, the impulse was felt ; and the 



HISTORY OF BO«CAWEN. 77 

people of this town were not merely spectators of 
the desolating scene. 

Though the inhabitants of this town had liv- 
ed in great harmony from its first settlement, the 
united promoters of good order, morals and reli- 
gion, and had walked hand in hand, supporting 
the cause of their country through the w^ar ; yet 
now, instead of enjoying harmoniously the pre- 
cious laurels of victory, in the rage of party, those 
deeds w ere perpetrated by some, which threaten- 
ed the extermination of every secular, social, civil, 
or moral good. So that the name of Boscawen, 
at a distance, was associated with contention, de- 
struction of property, conflagration and daring 
wickedness. 

Dec. 19. At this meeting several motions w ere 
ineffectually made concerning a bounty tax, asses- 
sed the preceding year, 1795, which had produced 
much excitement in the collection, inasmuch, as 
there was no tax called for. What induced the 
selectmen to lay this tax, was the circumstance, 
that, in 1794, no precept came for a county ^ x 
seasonably, therefore, none w^as laid ; but, before 
the year expired, an extent came for the tax, which 
the selectmen were obliged to provide for, on their 
own credit. The following year, a majority of 
the same selectmen were in oflice, and as in the 
other instance no call was made for laying a tax, 
yet they thought it prudent to be in readiness, if 
one should be called for ; therefore, they added the 
probable sum to the state tax, so that it might be 
legally collected. But there being no county tax 
that year, several refused to pay the tax ; and to 
eiid the perplexing business in the most pacific 



78 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

manner, the selectmen paid the whole sum as- 
sessed, for the county tax, with additional costs, 
out of their own property to the town ; which 
sum, amounting to nearly sixty dollars, has never 
been reimbursed to this day. 

There was also at this meeting a large commit- 
tee appointed, including the present selectmen, to 
look over the accounts of former selectmen ; it 
being confidently asserted, and industriously cir- 
culated, and believed by many, that large sums of 
money were in their hands not accounted for. 
This committee did not succeed in adjusting the 
busines's^ but a second, soon after chosen, did, and 
certified to the town, that the said selectmen pro- 
duced receipts and orders not entered upon their 
book, fully meeting the town's demand to their 
satisfaction. 

1797. About this time, a disaffection arose 
against the regular support of the gospel ministry. 
Sundry persons refused to pay, and one protested 
against paying the minister tax. 

In consequence of damages done to the public 
highways, in taking up bridges, &c. ; also, dam- 
ages done to the meeting houses — the town ap- 
pointed a committee of four, July 19, and con- 
firmed the same, August 28, to prosecute such 
persons who had, or should, in the course of the 
year, be found thus trespassing upon either the 
public highways, or public buildings. 

There had been, for some time, a very unhap- 
py difference of opinion among those living in 
Water-street school-district, respecting the place 
for setting their school house ; it was, therefore, 
thought advisable by the town to appoint a com- 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 79 

mittee out of town, to settle the controversy, and 
place the school house ; accordingly, Abiel Fos- 
ter and Timothy Walker, Esquires, and Col. 
Philip Greeley, were chosen by the town for this 
committee. 



Section 20. 

1798. At this time, our commerce was uuwar- 
xantably molested by French cruisers, and the at- 
tempt made by our ministers and envoys to nego- 
ciate proved fruitless. Congress established a. 
provincial army for retaliation and defence. Pres- 
ident Adams, with consent of the Senate, appoint- 
ed Gen. George Washington Lt. General and 
Commander of all the armies of the United 
States ; and reprisals were made by our navy. — 
But an overture was made by the French govern- 
ment the following year, and a negotiation was 
opened, and the war terminated. 

On the night of the 22d of February, unhap- 
pily, for the reputation of this town, the eastward- 
ly meeting house was totally consumed by fire. 
The mean or instrument of this conflagration has 
never, as yet, been ascertained. 

March 6. The former committee, to prevent 
trespasses upon the highways and meeting houses, 
re-chosen. 

March 26. The town of Boscawen met, to 
adopt measures for rebuilding a meeting house, in 
place of the one burnt, and voted to erect a frame, 
at the town's expense, on such spot as should be 
agreed upon. To fix the spot, was referred to 



80 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

Joshua Bajley, Esq., Capt. Benjamin Darling, and 
Philip Greeley, Esq., who reported to the town, 
April 1 6th, the westerly end of Woodbury plain, 
so called, as the most convenient and equitable 
place for the erection of the meeting house ; but 
their report was not accepted. Three other pla- 
ces were named and acted upon, but the people 
could not unite in either. It was then proposed, 
that six men have liberty to build a meeting house^ 
at their own cost, on the plain near the Pine-tree ; 
but the town would not consent. Several other 
trials were made at the adjournment to fix the 
jilace, but to no effect ; and the meeting dis- 
solved. 

In this time of general excitement, neither pub- 
lic nor private property was considered safe. — 
Some individuals, who were the open and active 
supporters of order in society, sustained very seri- 
ous damages in, and loss of property at different 
times ; such as apple trees peeled and c«t down ; 
utensils secreted and injured ; horses shot ; lum- 
ber destroyed, &c. But to conclude this unpleas- 
ant article of our history, on the night of the 
1 6th of August, the school house, on Water-street, 
was destroyed by fii'e ; an indemnity, therefore, 
was secured, by a civil process. 

March 5, 1799. Much time was taken up, and 
many expedients tried at the annual meeting ; and 
also, on the 8th of April, if possible, to fix the 
place for a meeting house, but to no avail. A ma- 
jority wished for the house, but could not agree 
on any one nameable spot to build it, and therefore 
the subject was suffered to rest. The town, how- 
ever, did agree, that half of the meetings, for pub- 



HISTORY OP BOSCAWEN. 81 

lie worship, should be held in some place on 
King-streetand the other half at the meetinghouse, 
until a new house should be built. 

ill this state of things, the present meeting 
house, on King-street, was built by proprietors, in 
the course of the season, which precluded the 
necessity of erecting another, and was afterward, 
(Sept. 16,) offered by the proprietors for a town 
meeting house, on the town's paying for the frame ; 
but for this, a vote could not be obtained, though 
one half of the public meetings of the town 
have been uniformly held therein ever since. 

The difficulty on Water-street was amicably 
settled, by suffering the district to remain divided, 
as formerly, in two parts, a school house to be 
erected in each, one by the town, the other by 
the district, each to be placed by the voice of the 
district ; one school kept for the accommodation 
of both alternately at each house, and all have the 
privilege of sending to either. 

Again the Rev, Mr. Wood made a donation of 
fifty four dollars for the use of the public school. 
For this liberality, under present gloomy circum- 
stances, the town conferred on him an unan- 
imous vote of thanks. 

Feb. 22, 1800. In memory of Gen. George 
Washington, deceased, agreeably to a previous ar- 
rangement, the inhabitants of Boscawen assem- 
bled, walked in procession to the meeting house 
on King-street, both ladies and gentlemen wearing 
tokens of mourning.and the pulpit shrouded ; the 
Rev. Mr. Wood delivered a discourse, from Judges 
11 



82 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

iii. 9, appropriate to the very interesting solem- 
nity. 

March 4. One act passed at the annual meeting 
wa^, to give liberty to all, or to as many as should 
choose, living w^estwardly of the ground on which 
the old meeting house stood, to pay their minister 
tax to the west meeting house, and have the pro- 
portion of preaching there accordingly. But this 
act was viewed, by some, as a departure from the 
uniform conduct of the town, in providing preach- 
ing for those living in the w^est ; for, taking into 
view the number of those, who would improve 
the liberty given, it was assigning to the west 
meeting more than an equitable proportion of 
preaching, and taking from the east meeting a 
part of their just right. And when it was con- 
sidered, that the proprietors of the east meeting 
house had, at thei.r own cost, built a house, exon- 
erating the town from that expense, and which 
house the town were ready to occupy for their 
convenience : now for these proprietors to lose 
by what they had done, or to have taken from 
them, by the authority of the town, a part of 
their privilege of preaching, was deemed, by fair 
construction, oppressive and unjust. And as in 
this act, religious characters, as well as others, were 
implicated, it, therefore, became every professor 
of religion to inquire, while exercising his legal 
right in voting in public town meeting, Jim not I 
violating the law of Christ? 

It appears from the record, that the Rev. Mr. 
Wood did not accede to the town's procedure ; 
and doubtless, from the foregoing view of the sub- 
ject, he could not consistently comply. This act 



HISTORY OP BOSCAWEN. 83 

proved embarrassing, and from it difficulties were 
pressed into the church of no common magnitude, 
and of long continuance. 

1801. The small pox broke out, and began to 
spread among the inhabitants ; the town, there- 
forCj erected a hospital, and gave liberty to inocu- 
late. Also, appointed a committee, to prosecute 
any persons, who might be found designedly 
spreading the disease. 

Dec. 21. The number refusing to support the 
ministry was found to increase, and measures were 
taken for the removal of the minister. As the 
first step toward this event, a committee of 5 was 
authorized to wait on Rev. Mr. Wood, to see if he 
would unite in calling a council, to dismiss him 
from his charge. The act was informal, but pre- 
pared the way for holding a special meeting, Feb. 
1, 1802, when it was voted to be the desire of the 
town, that the Rev. Mr. Wood would give up his 
contract with the town ; and a new committee 
was appointed to present this vote, and consult 
with him on the terms of his taking a dismis- 
sion. 

Mr. Wood, finding the desire of the town thus 
expressed, signified in writing his readiness to dis- 
solve the contract on equitable terms, which might 
be agreed on by^ the parties, and which did not re- 
quire the intervention of an ecclesiastical council. 
And on April 20, he did submit to the town by 
their committee, for substance, the following pro- 
posals, viz. 

That he be allowed to enjoy all the privileges 
of a minister, such as exemption from taxation on 



84 HISTORY OP BOSCAWEN. 

either his poll or estate, &c., during his relation to 
the church. 

That the town give him annually one half of 
the interest of the parsonage, payable on the first 
day of May, so long as his connexion with the 
church shall continue. 

That during his relation to the church, all, who 
may contrib'ete to his support, shall not he taxed, 
by the town, for the support of the ministry eise^ 
where : and that the tow n pay up all arrearages 
of his salary and parsonage to the present time. 

Should the town accept these proposals by a 
regular vote — a fair settlement be made with the 
selectmen, as herein stated, mutually signed and 
recorded on the town book, the civil contract be- 
tween him and the town shall be dissolved to all 
intents and purposes. 

The town, forthwith, voted acceptance of the 
Rev. Mr. Wood's proposals, 67 to 64 ; and of 
course, a full and final settlement made between 
him and the selectmen, May 7, 1802, mutually 
signed by 

S iMUEL WOOD, and 
JOSEPH COUCH. ^ 

NATHANIEL GREEN, V Selectmen, 
SAMUEL MUZZY, 3 

dissolved the contract. 

In looking upon this, and some other proceed- 
ings of the town of Boscawen, we see the enlist- 
ment of all those conflicting passions and inter- 
ests, whose destructive and demoralizing influence 
had for years been increasing, now at its zenith, 
and spending its concentrated force. We fondly 
hope, therefore, that, from this era, our histor. 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWEX. 85 

will disclose measures tending to peace and order ; 
inviting harmony of feeling, and retrieving our 
lost reputation, although the years of many gener- 
ations may not extinguish the remembrance of 
the past. 

The Rev. Mr. Wood remain e<l pastor of the 
church, and soon a society was formed in connex- 
ion therewith, for his support ; which was, a few 
years afterwards, incorporated. 



Section 21. 

March 1, 1803. The remaining half of the in- 
terest, on parsonage bonds, was granted to the 
west meeting house, to be laid out under the di- 
rection of the selectmen. 

In this year, the Fourth New-Hampshire Turn- 
pike was opened through this town, terminating 
at the toll-bridge, built over Merrimack river, by 
an incorporated company, near Col. Isaac Chand- 
ler's, the preceding year. 

Inoculation for the small pox continuing at 
the hospital, a committee was appointed by the 
town, to see that the publick should not be en- 
dangered by the sick. 

About this time a number were apprehended 
for counterfeiting bank notes, and putting them 
into circulation. 

1804. lij an act of the General Court, the an- 
nual town meeting to be held the second Tuesday 
in March, throughout the state. 



86 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

Jlug. 27. The town permitted four pews to be 
sold, on the floor of the west meeting house, and 
the money to br laid out upon the house. 

The pulpit, at this house, was pretty constantly 
supplied, by different preachers ; but the expense 
was defrayed mostly by private subscriptions. It 
was not now to be expected that the town would 
re-settle a minister ; therefore, numbers were de- 
sirous of adopting some systematic method of pro- 
viding for the preaching of the gospel. Early in 
the season, a society was formed, called The West- 
erly Religious Society, in Boscawen, consisting of 
about 60 or 70 members ; and was incorporated 
in 1810. The prominent features of the Consti- 
tution of the Society are, 

" Any person may become a member, by sign- 
ing the constitution of the society. 

No person is bound for more than the term of. 
one year : but, at the expiration of the year, by 
signifying his desire to the clerk, and paying up 
his proportion of all money assessed while he was 
a member, may withdraw. 

When two thirds of the society are agreed, they 
may settle a minister ; and may dismiss him, 
when two thirds are agreed in the measure. And 
a minister so settled may, at any time, take his 
dismission, without violating his contract of settle- 
ment." 

Soon after the establishment of this Religion; 
Society, there was a special attention to religion 
and a small number became hopefully pious.- 
This event induced the society to express their de 
sire to have the stated preaching of the gospel, b; 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 87 

extending an invitation and proposals to the Rev. 
Ebenezer Price, to settle with them in the minis- 
try, who had, for several months previous, been 
supplying. Their proposals were conditionally 
accepted. A small cluirch was gathered, and Mr. 
Price installed pastor of the second Congregation- 
al church and society in Boscawen, Sept. 26, 
1804. And this year, a second bridge was built 
over Merrimack river, to Canterbury, by an in- 
corporated company, and a road opened by the 
town to meet it, from King-street. 

Sept. 10, 1805. Concord and Boscawen united, 
by their committees, in building a bridge over 
Contoocook river, by Capt. John Chandler's, at 
the expense of the two towns. 

March 10, 1807. A revision of the State Con- 
stitution called for ; and but two voted in favor of 
its revision. 

Dea. Enoch Gerrish, Benjamin Little and Ca- 
leb Knight, Esqs., committee for the west meet- 
ing house, were authorized to sell two pews more 
on the floor of said house, and to give further time 
of ninety days to former purchasers to make pay- 
ment, or their privilege should be deemed forfeit- 
ed. 

The selectmen were directed to request Timo- 
thy Dix, Esq., to lay out the fine assessed by the 
Court, of Si 75, upon the old travelled road, above 
Pearson's mills, the money being already in the 
hands of said Dix ; but, should he decline, they 
were authorized to make the requisite repairs up- 
on said old road. Mr. Dix did not comply with 
the request, of course, the town sustained the en- 
tire loss of that sum. 



88 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

In June, a law passed the Legislature of New- 
Hampshire, for the better regulation of schools, 
specifying the requisite qualilications of instruc- 
tors, and providing an inspecting committee. 

March l'4, 1809. At the opening of the annu- 
al meeting, a very unhappy disturbance took place 
in time of prayer ; but was soon quelled by the 
moderator ; and both the principal and abettors 
were disposed, on cool reflection, to make those 
concessions, which the town accepted as satisfac- 
tory, and thus prevented a civil prosecution. 

The first committee for inspecting schools cho- 
sen, in compliance with the law of the State. 

^pril 12, A committee appointed, to see w^hat 
alterations in school districts, and repairs in school 
houses were needed ; and at a meeting, (Sept. 1,) 
the town ordered several new school houses to be 
built, at the town's expense. 

1810. On Friday, the 19th of January, was ex- 
perienced the coldest day within the memory of 
the most aged. Many buildings w^ere unroofed, 
overturned or destroyed by the wind ; many peo- 
ple were frozen, and not a few lives lost by the 
cold. Much damage done to orchards, generally 
throughout New-England. 

March \^. The school committee made their 
first report, which met the acceptance of the town. 
Such a report has been given, annually, ever since ; 
in which, has been exhibited the state of the sev- 
eral schools ; by whom kept ; length of the terms ; 
number of scholars ; general order and progress 
of the scholars, &c. A practice, which has been 
found to be grateful to parents — an excitement to 



HISTORY OP BOSCAWEN. 89 

our youth, and very promotive of education, and 
moral improvement. 

Aug. 27. Stirrup-iron bridge ordered to be re- 
built ; and in the execution of which, Mr. Dan- 
iel Shepherd well nigh lost his life. 

March 12, 1811. The state and county officers 
voted for by a joint ballot, which has since been 
the common practice of the town. 



Section 22. 

1812. Our national affairs, at this time, wore a 
very unpromising aspect, both at home and abroad. 
So much so, that President Madison intimated to 
Congress, in his Message at the opening of the ses- 
sion, his expectation of hostilities with England 
before the session should close. The attention, 
therefore, of the government, was mostly engros- 
sed by war measures ; and on the 1 8th of June 
following, war w^as declared. 

March 13, 1813. The check-list first used in 
town meeting, in the choice of state officers, by a 
law of the state. 

And this year, the first tax was laid, by the se- 
lectmen, upon the estate of a regular settled min- 
ister of the gospel, in town ; and this, three years 
before the wisdom of the legislature of the state 
provided a law for such a tax. 

1814. The spotted fever, which in many places 
had prevailed the two preceding years, now ap- 
peared among us, in its most terrific form, and 
12 



90 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

carried off a number of children, in 6, 8, 10, 12, 
and 24 hours, after being attacked. 

1815. In the month of February, the treaty of 
Ghent arrived at Washington, which had been 
signed, the preceding December, by the commis- 
sioners mutually ; and was ratified, by the Presi- 
dent and Senate, on the 17th. And thus peace 
was once more restored to our bleeding country, 
and received, by all classes of people, with demon- 
strations of joy. 

March 1 4. The town of Boscawen voted, to 
make the consideration of S5 to each soldier, who 
served at Portsmouth, and to pay their bills of 
expense, to and from Portsmouth, provided the 
state should not. 

The law, for the observation of the sanctity of 
the sabbath, was very openly and grossly violated ; 
and loudly called on a christian community to 
make an effort, to remove the increasing evil. — 
This town therefore appointed, at their annual 
meeting, nine tithingmen. And to give greater 
encouragement to civil officers faithfully to ex- 
ecute the laws, for the suppression of vice, and 
the promotion of virtuous habits, moral societies 
were about this time greatly multiplied in this, 
and in the adjoining states. Such a society was 
formed in this town, in April, consisting of 108 
members. 

Amidst the righteous judgments of God, with 
which our land was visited, for the transgressions 
of the people, yet the year 1815 was distinguish- 
ed, by the outpouring of the holy spirit in a gen- 
eral revival of religion, in this town. The revi- 
val began in July, in the east parish, and spread 



HISTORY OP BOSCAWEN. 91 

Into the west ; became general, and continued 
till the fore part of November,before any perceiv- 
able abatement of the work ; and many, of every 
age, were the happy subjects of renewing grace. 

Sept. 20. Two school districts were set off 
from district No. 3, viz : The branch on Pleasant- 
street, and the branch on the street from Sweatt's 
mills southwardly, and a school house was soon 
built in each. 



Section 23. 

March 12, 1816. The remaining ground occu- 
pied by seats, on the floor of the westerly meet- 
ing house, was sold for pews, and the avails order- 
ed to be laid out in repairing the house. 

The whole number of votes cast at one ballot- 
ing, for counsellor, was 346 ; a larger number 
than was ever carried, on any other occasion. 

Col. Joseph Gerrish and Capt. Samuel Choate, 
appointed a committee to examine into the state 
of the schools, parsonage bonds, and other securi- 
ties, reported, that 

The whole of those lands were sold for Si 794 00 
Security for the same found, to the 

amount of 1696 41 

Leaving a balance in the hands of the 

town, of 97 59, 

May 20. On the death of Samuel W. Lang, 
Town Clerk, Hezekiah Fellows was chosen by 
the town to that office. 



92 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

Oct. 1. A town meeting called, on a Justice's 
warrant, to hear the report of their committee, 
chosen to look into the state of Water-street 
school district. Their report was, for substance, 
that Water-street be divided into two separate dis- 
tricts ; that a new school house be built by the 
town in the south, and that the house in the north 
be repaired ; which report the town accepted. 

The year 1816, though the last of ten years 
of uncommon seasons and dearths, yet it is to be 
distinguished from any preceding year. The 
whole face of nature appeared shrouded in gloom. 
The lamps of heaven kept their orbits, but their 
light was cheerless. The bosom of the earth, in 
a mid-summer's day, was covered with a wintry 
mantle ; and man, and beast, and bird, sickened at 
the prospect. Autumn returns, alas ! not to fill 
the arm with the generous sheaf, but the eye with 
the tear of disappointment ! On the 6th of June, 
the day of general election, the snow fell several 
inches deep, followed by a cold and frosty night ; 
and, on the two following days, snow fell, and 
frost continued. Also, July 9th, a deep and dead- 
ly frost, which killed or palsied most vege tables. 
The little corn, which had the appearance of ma- 
turity, was destitute of its natural taste or sub- 
stance ; and yet the providence of God was boun- 
tiful, in supplying the article of bread from the 
crops of rye, which were uncommonly good. 

1817. After the first of June, a very great 
change was observable in the atmosphere and 
vegetable world. The winds were generally from 
the south west, for more than half a year. The 
air became warm and natural ; vegetation unusu- 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 93 

ally rapid, and autumn poured forth her blessings 
in rich abundance. 

March, 1818. The town appointed Lt. Daniel 
Pillsbury, Moses Coffin, and Moses Fellows a 
committee, to collect the money still due for pews 
in the west meeting house, and to lay it out upon 
the house. 

Another bridge was, this year, built over Black- 
water river, near Jackman's mills. 

The decision of the Federal Court of the Uni- 
ted States was given in February, in favor of the 
claims of the Trustees of Dartmouth College. 

Two grand jurors and one petit juror were cho- 
sen to the Circuit Court of the United States, to 
sit at Portsmouth, N. H. 

March, 1819. The expense of services perform- 
ed by the selectmen for 181 8, and allowed by the 
town, 8125 ; a very great difference between this 
and the compensation made the selectmen, in 
1780. And, at this meeting, a committee of three 
was chosen, to furnish the town with the most 
important events and facts relating to the settle- 
ment and progressive improvement of the tovsii ; 
and Rev. Ebenezer Price, Rev. Samuel Wood, and 
Dea. Enoch Little, were the committee. 

In obedience to this appointment, the foregoing 
register has been attempted in behalf of the com- 
mittee, and accepted by the town. 

Having retraced the period of 88 years, bring- 
ing our history down to 1820, there are now be- 
fore the reader the most prominent events and 
facts, furnished from written documents and mem- 
ory, relating to the progress of the settlement of 



94 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

this town. In these are to be seen the inhabit- 
ants of Boscawen, alternately prospered and af- 
flicted ; in war and in peace ; wading through 
scenes dreadful in the retrospect, and possessing 
enjoyments most desirable. And through the 
w^hole detail, abundant occasion is afforded, to ad- 
mire the righteousness and mercy of God. 

We therefore conclude this section, and this 
second part of our work, by observing, that the 
year 1819 has been distinguished from every oth- 
er year in the series, in respect to the general re- 
gard had to the education and morals of our 
youth, by placing them under the tuition of well 
qualified and pious instructors ; and especially 
distinguished, by the most extensive and powerful 
revival of religion, ever experienced amongst us ; 
and rarely, if ever, experienced in any other part 
of our land, as we have already more particularly 
noticed. 

Well, then, may the present actors upon the 
stage tell your children these things, and let your 
children tell their children, and their children an- 
other generation, — Joel i. 3. 



^m^^ WAm, 



J^isccUancoujs Articles. 



Names of the Original Proprietors of Boscawen, 



Abraham Adams, jr., 
Stephen Jaques, 
Joseph Coffin, 
Robert Greenough, 
Joseph Morse, jr., 
Benjamin Lunt, 
John Akers, 
Daniel Richards, 
Daniel Dole, 
John Chandler, Esq., 
Joseph Tappan, 
William Ilsley, 
John Adams, 
John Alden, 
Joseph Knight, Esq., 
James Mitchel, 
Stephen Moody, 
Benjamin Pettingil, 
Richard Greenough, 
Richard Jackman, 
Cornelius Wood, 
Joseph Morse, 3d, 
Henry Sevvall, Boston, 
John Webster, 
Joseph Gerish, Esq., 
Samuel Bagley, 
Benj. Smithy Rowley^ 
Robert Adams, 
Richard Kelley, 
Samuel Gerrish, 
John French, juD., 



Joseph Jackman, 
Nicholas Cheney, 
Joseph Willet, 
Jacob Noyes, 
John Poor, 
Stephen Dole, 
Moses Smith, 
Cutting Lunt, 
.fonathan Plummer, 
Thomas Peircc, 
Archeiaus Woodman 
.John Smith, 
Isaac Haul, 
Edward Emery, 
VVillabee Feaver, 
Jacob Pilsbury, 
Stephen Emery, 
Amos Stickney, 
George Jackman, 
Jonathan Sampson, 
Richard Pettingil, jr., 
Moses Gerrish, 
Joseph Dole, 
John Plummer, jr., 
Elizer Peirce, 
Daniel Peirce, 
Theoder Coker, 
Joseph Gerrish, jr., 
Richard Coffin, 
James Allen, 
William Ripp. 



Abraham Titcomb, 
lohn Coffin, 
John Waite, 
William Moody, 
John Moody, jr., 
Moses Knight, 
Daniel Coffin, 
Daniel Knight, 
Moses Coker, [3d, 
Edmund Greenleaf, 
Daniel Hale, 
Henry Kingsbury, 
Nathan Wheeler, 
Joshua Pilsbury, 
Thomas Woodbridge, 
Joseph Noyes, 3d, 
James Merrill, 
James Noyes, 
Thomas Webster, 
Joshua Hale, 
William Atkins, 
George Little, 
Jonathan Ilsley, 
Richard Hall, 
Samuel Sweet, jr., 
Tristram Little, 
John Noyes, 3d, 
John Weed, jr., 
Samuel Little, 

91 Proprietor?. 



9b 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWtiN. 



Names of the First Settlers, 



Stephen Gerish, 
Jacob Flanders, 
Ambrose Gould, 
Andrew Bohonnon, 
Josiah Bishop, 
Joseph Eastman, 
Richard Jackman, 
Edward Fitz-Gei-ald, 
Joel Manuel, 
Nathaniel Meloon, 



George Jackman, 
Moses Burbank, 
Richard Flood, 
Philip Call 
Thomas Cook, 
Nathaniel Danforth, 
William Danforth, 
Sinkler Bean, 
David Barker, 
John Bowen, 



John Fowler, 
William Dagadan, 
Daniel Roll^ 
Edward Emery, 
John Corser, 
William Peters, 
Nathaniel Rix. 

27. 



Births^ Marriages and Deaths. 



Births, recorded, 1348. 

Marriages, recorded, 602. 

Deaths, of which, but few re- 
corded, until 1808 ; since, a par 
ticular bill of mortality has been 
kept, and the number in each 
year, from 1808 to 1820 inclu^ 
sive, is here presented. 

1808, died, of all ages, 16 
—09 9 



1810, died, of all ages, 20 



—11 

—12 
—13 
—14 
—15 

—16 
—17 
—18 
—19 



17 
29 
26 
23 
25 
37 
34 
33 
36 



—20 32 



Total, 337. 



Commanding Officers of the 21 st Regiment of 
Militia in New- Hampshire. 

This Regiment was formed in 1786, and Henry Gerrish ap- 
pointed Colonel, but never took the command. Col. Ebenezer 
Webster, Salisbury, commissioned in 1787, took the command, 
and was succeeded by 

Joshua Bailey, of Hopkinton, 

Philip Greeley, Hopkinton, 

Joseph Geirish, Boscawen, 

John Gale, Salisbury, 

Col. Isaac Chandler, Boscawen, in 1807, 

Benning Smart, Hopkinton, 1813, 

Jonathan Weare, Amdover, 1815, 

Moses Gerrish, Boscawen, 1818, 

Jonathan Bean, Salisbury, 

John Greeley, Salisbury, now in command. 



KtSTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 



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HISTORY OP BOSCAWEN. 



Names of officers and soldiers who enlisted from 
this town in the tvar with France in 1798. 

Capt. Nathaniel Green, 

Lieut. Moses Sweatt, 
Serg't. Joseph Flandei-s, Moses Corser, 

Moses Jackman, Nathan Danforth, 

Daniel Colby, Bernard Young, 

Benjamin Fisk, ' Joshua Sawyer. 



Names of the Soldiers stationed at Portsmouth, 
N. H. in the late war with England ; drafted 



Ens 



in Sept.^ Oct. 1814. 

First draft for three months. 
Richard Little, 
John Stone, 
Moses Call, 
Enoch Burbank, 
Samuel Burbank, 
Moses Cross, 
Stephen Danforth, 
John Eastman, 
Jacob Flanders, 
Josiah Gale, 
Nicholas Gookin, 
Simeon Jackman, 
Joseph Moore, 
Daniel Shepherd, — 



14, 



Second draft for two months. 
Capt. Silas Call, 

Eleazer Burbank, 

Jesse Sweat, 

Benj. Severance, 

Amos Rolf, 

Wm. Haines, 

Guy C. Flanders, 

Abel Eastman, 

Samuel Watson, 

Eph Noyes, 

James Noyes, 

Theodore George, 

Ebenezer Moody, 

Amos Sawyer, 

Sam'l. Jackman, 15. 



Names of those who died, or were killed in the 

Army. 

Philip Flanders killed at Crown Point, in the French War, 
1756, belonging to the N. H. Rangers under Major Rogers. 

Isaac Davis., killed at Fort Ann, in 1777. 

John and Phineas Stevens, brothers and sons of the Rev. P. 
Stevens died inl776. 

In the late War with Eng. Edmund Day., killed. 

Benjamin Fisk & Son,, Chellis Eastman, George Liitlefield and 
Eliphalet Burpee, died in camp. 

Capt. Silas Call died while stationed at Portsmouth ; and Col. 
Timothy Dix, jun. at the French Mills, Canada. 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 



105 



Names of Magistrates, Post-Masters, t^c. accord- 
ing to their standing in office, 

1820, Isaac Pearson, grandson 



Magistrates. 
Georg-e Jackman. 
Henry Gerrish. 
Samuel Fowler. 
Nathaniel Green. 
Benjamin Little. 
Timothy Dix, jun. 
Joseph Gerrish. 
Caleb Knisfht. 
Daniel Webster. 
Ezekiel Webster. 
Joseph Muzzy, 
Hezekiah Fellows. 



Deputy Post-Masters. 
Timothy Dix, appointed Jan- 
uary 31, 1806. 
Benjamin H. Oak, Esq. in 1817 



Ministers. 
Rev. Phineas Stevens., A. M. 
Graduated at Harvard in 1734 

Robie Morrill, A. M. 
Graduated at Harvard in 1755 

Nathaniel Merrill, 
Graduated at Harvard in 1767. 

Samuel Wood, D. D. 
Graduated at Dart. Coll. 1779. 

Ebenezer Price, A. M. 
Graduated at Dart. Coll. 1793. 



Deacons in the \st Church, when 

elected. 
1740, George Jackman. 
1761, Jesse Flanders. 

Benjamin Eastman. 

About Joseph Hoit, k 
1770, Isaac Pearson. 
1786, Enoch Gerrish, k 

Cutting Noyes. ^ 

1802, Samuel Jackman. 
1817, Edmund Chadwick, & 

Thomas Gerrish. 

14 



to the former Deacon of that 
name, and 
Nehsmiah Cogswell, jun. has 
been since elected. 



Deacons in the 2d Church, -when 

elected. 
1805, Benjamin Sweatt, who") 
died Oct. 11, 1810, and } 
Eliphalet Kilborn. 
1811, Enoch Little, jun. 



J 



Attorneys. 
Peter Green, Esq, 
Nathaniel Green, Esq. 
Hon. Daniel Webster, 
Dartmouth, 1801. 
Hon. Ezekiel Webster, 
Dart. 1804. 



Esq, 
Esq, 



Physicians. 
Daniel Peterson 
Daniel Peterson, jun, 
Richard Hazeltine 
Denison Bowers 
Job Wilson, M. D. 
Samuel Petei'son 
John Chandler, M. D. Dai*t. 

1805. 
Elijah Rowel 
Thomas Peach 
Thomas G. Wells 
Samuel Sawyer 
Austin George, M. D. 
John Proctor. 



Graduates. 
Rev. Jonathan Atkinson, Dart. 

1787 
Timothy Call, Esq. Dart. 1 790 
Dr. Samuel Gerrish, Dart. J 79.'i 



106 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 



Hon. Daniel C. Atkinson, Dart 

1806 
Rev. Samuel W. Colburn, Dart. 

1808 



Rev. Enoch Corser, Mid. Col, 

1811 
Samuel Atkinson, } ^ . „ . ^ 

Jacob Atkinson, ^P^°^- ^^^^ 



Remarkable Deaths. 

Drozvned in Merrimack river. — Samuel Davis^ turned from a load 
of hay into the river, and was drowned. Gideon Gould^ an ap- 
prentice, went in to bathe on Sabbath morning- and was drowned. 
Hezekiah Colby., a pauper, fell out of a boat on the Sabbath., and 
drowned. Jacob George, crossing the river on logs, was drown- 
ed, 1816. William Ramage, foreigner, diverting himself upon 
the river on the Sabbath, fell out of the boat in sight of his com- 

panions, and drowned, 1818. Burt, a youth, drowned in 

attempting to ride across the river. And a young lad, not named, 
while bathing. 

Drowned in Blackwater river. — Jacob Garland, slipped from a 
log in Gerrish's mill-dam, July, 1776. Manly Danforth, while 
bathing, Aug. 1797, aged SO. 

Drowned in Contoocaok river. — Richard Kimball and Jeremiah 
Abbot, attempting to run the falls of the river in a small canoe, 
perished April 23, 1812. William Corser and Son were drowned 
in Great Pond, near the shore by the upsetting of a birch canoe, 
1773 ; Asa, another son, reached the shore in safety. Daughter 
of Tristram Bernard, aged 5 years, went to a spring for water, 
slipped in and drowned July, 1776. A Child of Isaac Blanchard 
fell into a tub of water and drowned. Daughter of Daniel Morse, 
5 or 6 years old, fell into a tub of boiling water, and survived but 
a few hours. A Son of William Gage, 3 years old, drowned in 
the canal before the house. May 25, 1819. 

Deaths other imse than by drowning. 

Isaac Myric, killed by a falling tree. Bitjield Plummcr, in- 
stantly killed by the limb of a tree, 1788, aged 46. David Car- 
ter, supposed to have been killed by the kick of a horse, and his 
waggon wheel passing over him. John Kilborn, killed by the 
wheel of a loaded waggon passing over his body, 1803, aged 25. 
Son of Joseph Couch, about 4 yeai's old, killed by oxen and cart 
running over him. Daughter of Moses Calef, ,2 or 3 years old, 
killed by a sled falling on her. Son of Nathan Pearson, 5 years 
old, fell from a horse in a team, and was instantly killed, by the 
cart wheel passing over his body, Sept. 27, 1797. Rhoda Colby, 
insane person, suddenly disappeared, and was never found, 1785. 
William Eastman, attempting to cross on the sti'ing-pieces of a 
high bridge in the night, fell and broke his neck. Jesse Carter, 
ft years old, in the early settlement of the town, was killed, 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 107 

while plaj'ing upon a side hill, by a stump rolling over him. 
Daughter of Nathan Chandler, killed by the fall of a wtii-sweep, 
aged 5 years. Capt. Stephen Webster t'eli from his hoioe and in- 
stantly died, April, 1794. Daniel Couch kicked by a horse in the 
foreheid, which terminated his life in 1 i lays, 1806. Saifvuel 
Muzzy, when ploughing,kicked by a horse and died next day, May 
19, 1813, aged 74. Daughter of 'U. Nathan K. Holt, 4 years old, 
burnt by her clothes taking lire, when at school, and soon expired, 
1814. 

In the same year 1814, Mr. Samuel Jackman experienced an 
uncommon mortality in his family by the Spotted fever, which 
then prevailed in many places. The substance of the circum- 
stances, then published, is here subjoined. 

"On Sabbath morning.Nov. 27, Mr. Jackman had seven childron in apparent good 
health At 8 o'clock Hannah Kimball, aged 9, and Isaac Gerrish, aged 7 years, 
were taken ill. The hoy died in 8, and the girl in 24 hours. Tlieir funeral attend- 
ed on Monday — Discourse delivered by Rev. Mr. Wood from Prov. 27, 1 verse, 
and both interred in one grave. H^alter Harris, 5 years old, was attacked by the 
same disease on Tuesday morning; — died in 12hours, and was buried on Wednes- 
day. On Friday, David Flanders, 2 years old, was in like manner seized and died 
in 6 hours ; — his funeral attended on Saturday ; — Rev. Mr. Wood preached on the 
occasion from John 6. 20 : but in the time of the funeral exercise, JVancy, ahout 
3 years old received tl>e fatal attack, and died in 10 hours ; and was buried on the 
Sabbath." Thus a holy God whose Providence is inscrutable, took from the fond 
parents out of seven, five lovely cliildren, in the short term of seven days ! ! 
Medical aid was early resorted to in these cases, but the violence of the attack in 
each case, admitted of no relief from the application of medicine. 

Wife of Jonathan Downing, instantly killed by lightning, June 
12, 1816. Wifeoi Jeremiah Burpee, precipitated 30 feet from 
a sleigh, the horse running off the Bridge over the Gulf, and 
survived but a few hours, Dec. 1817. Child of James French fell 
into boiling Beer, which soon terminated his life. Mary Blaisdell, 
under the influence of melancholy, put an end to her existence 
by hanging, Jan. 9, 1818. James Brown committed suicide by 
the use of opium. May 24, 1818. Infant Son of Mr. John 
Greenough, fell from a chair into the fire and lived but a few 
hours, 1819. 



Providential escapes from death. 

nib. John Corser, tending a saw-mill alone at the head of 
K. street, Avhile using a crow-bar about a mill log, in an unac- 
countable manner, the end of the bar struck his head — cut off his 
nose — took out his right eye — raised the fore half of the skull- 
bone, and left the brain bare, but not injured. In this situa- 
tion he was soon found by William Emery. Surgical aid was ad- 
ministered, and his wounds healed. He however shortly after 
lost the sight of his other eye ; but lived and enjoyed good 
health for more than thirty years. 



108 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

Benjcnnin Little, Esq. when a youth, fell into the floom and 
passed through the waste-gate of Gerrish's mill-dr.m in a jam of logs 
and drift stuff, in the month of April, and being driven among 
the logs nearly a quarter of an hour was discovered, and taken 
out much injured, but no bones broken. 

John Manuel.,when barking trees, was struck on the side of the 
head by a falling limb, which fractured his skull, turned out his 
left eye, so as to destroy the sight ; but recovered, except the 
loss of the sight of one eye, without any surgical aid. 

Benjamin Fisk fell from a saw-mill carriage through the floor- 
ing of the mill tifteen feet,anel was taken up for dead ; but,though 
his jaw was broken, and greatly injured otherwise, was restored 
to perfect health and soundness. 

Tkomas Eastrna7i was crushed by a large pile of boards over- 
turned upon him in 1800; from which perilous situation he was 
immediately taken, very much bruised, but was finally restored to 
usual health. 

Daniel Calef, at the raising of ISTorris' Gristmill, very narrowly 
escaped death, though considerably injured in the chest, by the 
accidental falling of one side of the Frame, 1805. 

Jacob Little, June P, 1807, 12 years old, was struck by a falling 
tree upon the left side of his head. A concussioffwas made upon 
the right side, and the seam of ihe head opened nearly from ear 
to ear. The operation of trepanning in two places being per- 
formed by Dr. Nathan Smith, beyond all expectation, he was 
restored to his usual health, and strength of mind, and is now a 
member of Dartmouth College. 

Wells Biirbank, at ihe raising of a saw-miW fell from the plate, 
but his heel providentially caught in the brace below, which held 
him till assistance was afforded, and prevented his falling head 
first nearly 20 feet upon the rocks. 

Moses Burbank fell into the floom of Gerrish's mill-dam and the 
gate being up, was drawn under a cross timber, which confined 
him under water ; from this dangerous situation he was relieved, 
though nearly exhausted, by the uncommon exertions of by-stand- 
ers. 

John Elliot fell from the top of Joshua Jackman's saw-mill, 
when raising, but caught the timber below and thus narrowly 
escaped death. 

Daniel Shepherd, in the fall of Stirrup-iron Bridge, was buried 
in its ruins ; but by aid afforded was taken out with a broken 
limb, and other injuries ; and so far restored as to be active in 
business for several years. 

Amos Stone, when boarding a barn by the heat of a summers 
day, fainted and fell from the ridge-pole to the ground, without 
receiving essential injui'y cither to limbs or health, July, 1818. 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 109 

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

Among those characters, who have been the active promoters 
of the interest of this town, either in a secular or moral point of 
view, the following names claim a concise tribute of respect. 

Capt. Stephen Gerrish was one of the original proprietors, and 
of the first settlers of the town. He was particularly prepared 
to advance the settlement of a new country ; being young, robust, 
acquainted with husbandry, entei-prising, industrious and econom- 
ical. Though his education was small, and his manners unpol- 
ished, yet his slrenglh of mind, his frankness and sympathetic 
feelings rendered him both useful and agreeable. 

lie well knew the discouragements, and wants of the new set- 
tlers of a country ; and to him many resorted for succour. Pos- 
sessing both the means, and the disposition, he was liberal and 
hospitable — a friend and father to multitudes. He died 1788, at 
the age of 74 ; having lived to see hischildien settled and pros- 
perous, and useful members of both civil and religious societies. 

Col. Henry Gerrish^ eldest son of Capt. S. G.,at an early period 
of life distinguished himself as an active and very useful citizen. 
His literary acquirements, though good for his day, were con- 
tracted; but possessing a capacious ar.d discriminating mind, his 
knowledge of men and things, the correctness of his opinions, his 
independence and decision, mild deportment and uniform moral 
and religious habits, ensured the esteem and contidence of his 
fellow men in every station. He was acquainted with the art of 
surveying, and practised that art much through life. Possessing 
a military turn, he was early promoted. In the trdnsactions of 
the town he was very commonly chosen to moderate their meet- 
ings ; for several years a selectman, and very often made one of 
important committees.* 

He was a friend of his country, and an active supporter of the 
revolution. For many years, he bore a commission of the peace. 
From early life he was a professor of religion, and uniformly 
gave his support to religious society. He acquired a great es- 
tate, and brought up a large family of children, the most of whom 
he lived to see well settled, and whose habits evidenced that 
his government over them was salutary ; and his house, though 
for many years the stranger's home, was a house of order. Col. 
Gerrish died at the age of 64, May 16, 1806. 



*1773 — Col. Gerrish was chosen the first Grand Juror to his Majesty's Sup. Court. 
1774 Dtilcgate to the Convention for the choice of members of tlie 1st Continental 
Congress. 1775, Delegate to the Convention for the choice of niemhers of the 2d 
Continental Congress ; Also Delegate to the Provincial Congress. 1779, Repre- 
sented the towns of Boscavven and Salisbury in the Gen. Court, and 1790 was elect- 
ed Representative of the town of Boscawen. 



110 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

Capt. Peter Kimball moved into the town of Boscawen about 
the year 17G5. Possessing great self-command, a sound judg- 
ment, and unwavering integrity, he soon came into public notice, 
and was elected selectman in 1768; in which office he served 
nine j'ears. In our revolutionary struggle, he manifested a truly 
patriotic spirit ; readily accepted those appointments, with others, 
which involved the dearest interests of individuals and of the 
public. He contributed to the security of our independence, not 
merely by his assiduous services at home, but endured the pri- 
vations of four campaigns in defence of his country. In one of 
them he volunteered as a private soldier ; but, in the other three, 
he bore a Captain's commission, and at Bennington received a 
wound at the head of his company — a precious memento of that 
signal battle. Capt. Kimball was a valuable citizen ; a much 
esteemed neighbour and a consistant man. Though he never 
made a public profession of religion, he was the constant sup- 
porter of religious society, and always attended public worship as 
long as health would permit. He clearly understood the doc- 
trines of grace, and evidenced to his pious acquaintance, that his 
belief in tkem was his joy and salvation. His death was sudden, 
June 4, 1011, at the age of 72. 

Mr. Enoch Little, a native of Newbury, Mass. moved into this 
town in 1774, and died 1816, aged 88 years. His name is not 
here inserted on account of his personal services in the public 
affairs of society, but as the head of a numerous family, whose 
ability and influence have contributed largely to the promotion 
of the public good ; and, as a man of great eqality of mind, and 
singular piety. The subject of this notice was made to bow to 
Immanuel's sceptre at the age of 1 1 years ; and thus like Enoch 
of old, " walked with God" 77 years ; 64 of which he was a 
disciple of Christ by a christian profession. He sought retire- 
ment, particularly in his advanced age, ibr that was most congenial 
with the habits of his mind. Here he could give free indulgence 
to pious meditation, prayer and to reading the holy Scriptures, 
which were as his meat and drink ; and by which he was pre- 
pared to exhibit the excellencies of his character — his meekness, 
humility, self-loathing, faith, patience, hope and charity in the 
domestic circle ; to pious visitors, and to the church of Christ. 
Mr. Little's example had a very happy influence upon his poster- 
ity, and by them to society more generally ; for he lived to see 
them multiplied to nearly an hundred, and many of them parta- 
kers of the same glorious hope with himself. For many years, 
he spoke of his being in this world a stranger and sojourner, 
" looking for a city, which hatli. foundations, whose builder and 
maker is God^ The good resulting from the example and prayex's 
of this pious man has been, and will no doubt be, for many gen- 



inSTORT OF BOSCAWEN. HI 

rations to come, the precious seed yielding its te mporal and 
spiritual benefits to the people of this town. 

George Jackman, Esq. was born at Newbury, Oct. 28, O. S. 
1735, son of George Jackman, a proprietor, who became a settler 
in town 1737, and was elected Deacon in the organization of the 
first church. The character before us has been so long and so 
abundantly employed in the transactions of this town, that, in 
alluding to those who have contributed to its present prosperous 
state, the most active agent, though living, could not be omitted. 
In 1760, at the first meeting of the town, after its incorporation, 
George Jackman, jun. was chosen Town Clerk, and re-chosen for 
36 years successively ; afterwards 2 years more, making 38 years 
in that office. The same year, 17G0, he was appointed a civil 
magistrate in the reign of George II. and his commission signed 
by Benning Wentworth, Governor of N. H. ; and was in 
commission to the year 1818, .50 years; and the oldest Justice 
of the Peace in the state of New-Hampshire. In 176r, the pro- 
prietors elected him their Clerk ; (though he had performed the 
business of the office the five preceding years for his father, who 
was Clerk ;) and has kept the records, and attended to the busi- 
ness to this time, 55 years. At the same time, he served the 
town in the office of Selectman 22 years ; — twice a Delegate to 
the State Convention ; four times chosen, and three times repre- 
sented the town in the General Court; and has been a member 
of the Church of Christ 44 years. For nearly 60 years, Mr, J. 
has been actively employed in public services. As a Scribe, 
he was ready, and kept a fair record, written Avith his left hand. 
In all business assigned him by the town, he was prompt and 
faithful ; and in discharging the duties of a magistrate, he mani- 
fested an unwavering attachment to justice and impartiality. 
He was unil^ormly active in secaring the independence of his 
country ; and the unshaken friend of the Constitution and Goi^ei'n- 
ment, which the wisdom of the nation had adopted. In his 
intercourse with his fellow men, his conversation and habits have 
been unexceptionable. He highly prized, steadily supported and 
constantly attended the institutions of the Gospel. And, as a 
christian, his walk has been such to this day, as became his pro- 
fession. At this advanced period of his life, nearly 85, he enjoys 
good health — performs manual labor — spends much time in 
reading, and in the warm season of the year, is a constant attend- 
ant on the public worship of God. 

The notice here taken of the characters and services of some, 
was not intended to diminish any thing from the merits of others, 
now numbered either with the dead or the living, whose werthy 
deeds will long live in the memory of a grateful people ; but, 
in a record like this, reasonable expectation could not be answer- 
ed without particularizing a lew. 



112 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

NARRATIVES of those who ivere taken captive 
or killed by the Indians. 

Mrs. DustonPs captivity, spoken of by Belknap and other histo- 
rians, having concern in our history, we shall offer the outlines 
of the extraordinary story. Mrs. Duston, her infant babe, but 
only a week old, and her nurse, the widow Mary Niff, were 
taken captive by the Indians at Haverhill, Mass. March 15, 1698 j 
while her husband magnanimously retreated with their seven 
older children, from before the enemy to a place of safety. 
The Indiaas soon barbarously dispatched the tender babe, and 
conveyed the enfeebled, afflicted mother and nurse up the Merri- 
mack river to a small island in the mouth of Contoocook river, 
which forma the south-east corner of this town. Here the Indians, 
10 or 12, for the number is variously stated, after refreshing 
themselves, being fatigued and fearless, lay down and readily 
sunk into a profound, but fatal sleep. Mrs. D. viewing the 
circumstance as favourable to her escape, improved the moment. 
By the aid of her nurse and a captive youth, with the death 
weapons of her savage enemies, instantly despatched them all, 
except two, who made their escape. And in retaliation took 
the scalps of their captors slain, and one of their birch canoes, 
returned down the river to Haverhill in safety, to the unspeaka- 
ble joy and astonishment of her family and friends ; and was soon 
after generously rewarded by the Massachusetts government for 
this unexampled deed. This heroic exploit took place April 30, 
1698, about 35 years before the settlement of this town. 

Josiah Bishop was the first of the settlers, who was taken by 
the Indians. He was surprised and taken, v/hen at vrork in his 
field, at the lower end of King-street. The Indians took him in- 
to the woods ; but finding him unyielding to their wishes, they 
killed him, as reported by other captives, who were informed 
by the perpetrators. 

On May 4, 1746, several men were at work on Clay Hill, and 
were surprized by a party of Indians in ambush. Thomas Cook 
and Caesar^ the negro servant of Rev. Mr. Stevens, were killed, 
and Elisha Jones was taken captive, and carried to Canada, and 
there sickened and died. 

The following August, two others were taken captive by the 
Indians ; not inhabitants of the town, but belonging to Hopkin- 
ton ; and it is recollected that one of them bore the name of 
Putney, and the name of the other, a young man, Abraham Kim- 
ball. 

1752. In April the two negroes belonging to Messrs. Miles 
and Lindsey, were taken captive in Canterbury by Sabatis and 
Plmisawa. And the following year 1 753, Bowen and Morrill 



HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 113 

killed those two Indians at Indian-Bridge, in Boscawen. See the 
account Section 9, page 44. 

May, 1754. J\fathaniel Meloon and family were taken captive. 
Mr. M. had recently moved his family from the fort to Stevens- 
town, the westward part of Salisbury. While on his way back 
to the fort on business, a party of Indians came upon him, and 
took him. They knew him — where he lived, and directed hJm 
home. The family consisted of Mr. and Mrs. M. and five child- 
ren, named Nathaniel, Rachel, John, Daniel aiiil Sarah ; and in 
surprise were ail taken captive, except their eldest son, who was 
at work in the field in sight. The father was ordered to c-ill his 
son, and he did ; but the son saw the Indians, and under, tood his 
fathers wish for his escape, by the significancy of his voice, 
dropped his hoe, fled to the woods, swam Biaclcwater river, ehi- 
ded the Indian's pursuit, and reaclied the fort in salety. The 
alarm being thus given, a strong detachment marched direct- 
ly up, in hope of recovering the captives, but it was too late. 
The Indians had hastily taken a few things and the six captives, 
and were out of their reach on their way toward Canada. Mr. 
Meloon's youngest daughter, about a year old, was sick, and be- 
ing exposed grew worse The Indians took the child from the 
parents, under pretence of appl3'ing medicine, who never be- 
held her afterwards. In other respects they were treated hu- 
manely by their savage captors, though their travel and fare 
were very hard. When they arrived at Canada, they were sep- 
arated, and sold to the French. Mr. M. and wife, however, liv- 
ed together, and their son Joseph, now living in Salisbury, N. H. 
was born in their captivity, 1755. After a servitude of more 
than three years in Canada, Mr. M. and wife and their three sons 
were shipped for France ; but on their voyage, near the Grand 
Banks, were taken by the British, and safely landed at Portland, 
Me. ; from whence they travelled by land, and once more re- 
gained their home, after an ahsence of 4 long years in tedious 
captivity. Their eldest daughter, Rachel, was left behind, and 
continued in Canada, among the French and Indians nine years ; 
when Samuel Fowler, Esq. employed by her parents, brought 
her home, though much against her inclination. She afterwards 
married, and had a family ; but always retained a partiality for 
the manners and habits of an Indian life. 

August 15, 1754, a party of Indians came to the house of 
Philip Call, who had just before moved from the fort into the 
edge of Bakerstown, now the eastwardly part of Salisbury. Mrs. 
Call was in the house, but Mr. Call, his son and a hired man 
were laboring in the field. They saw the Indians, and ran to- 
wards home ; but before they arrived, the barbarous enemy had 
killed Mrs. Call with a tomahawk, while her husband and son 
were bo near as to hear the fatal blow. The Indiana took her 

15 



114 HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

scalp, and immediately retired to the woods. Mr. Call's young 
man repaired to the fort as quick as possible to g;ve mformation ; 
and to avoid the chase of the Indians, he swam the Merrimack 
several times. A detachment of fourteen men well armed with 
muskets, marched directly on ; but the Indians, in the mean time, 
suspecting that an alarm had been given, and that they should 
be pursued, secreted themselves in ambush by the way side. 
Our men had no sooner passed them, than the Indians rose from 
their ambush — gave the war-whoop — rushed upon them and took 
Enos Bishop. Timothy Cook, whose tather had been killed at 
Clay Hill, plunged into the river ; seven shots were made at 
him, and th« seventh took his life. But the other twelve of the 
detachment made their escape, and r'^turned in safety to the 
fort, not havmg been able, from some cause, to lire a single gun. 
Mr. E. Bishop was carried captive to Canada, and there un- 
fortunataly, by accident, lost one of his eyes; but the next year 
made his escape and returned home. It seems that provision 
was made for his ransom, but he made his escape before it was 
applied. 

1756. Ezekiel Flanders and Edward Emery were killed by In- 
dians, when hunting beaver by New-found pond, between Bris- 
tol and Hebron, in the county of Grafton, N. H. The In- 
dians afterward informed, that one of them was shot when skin- 
ning a beaver in the camp, and the other shot at the same time, 
in sight of the camp, bringing in a beaver on his back. 

Mr. Moses Jackman, now living, at the age of 73, son of Rich- 
ard Jackman, deceased, was taken captive by the Indians, June 
1757, when about 11 years old. Being on a visit at his uncle 
C lough's in Canterbury, and, at that time hoeing in the orchard 
with Dorset, Mr. Clough's negro man ; four Indians of the St. 
Francis tribe unexpectedly leaped over the log fence within a 
few rods of them. The sight was so appalling, that Dorset caught 
young Jackman by the arm, and endeavored to hide; but when 
the Indians had gotten within a few feet of them, they separated. 
Jackman ran toward the barn, but before he reached it he stum- 
bled, and fell, and was taken by an old Indian and young sanop, 
who pursued him. He very soon made an attempt to escape out 
of their hands by running, but was re-taken, beaten and tied ; 
and to intimidate him, as it should seem, the old Indian, who 
held him, drew his hatchet over him as if to cleave his head 
asunder, but stopped the blow. This was all the violent usage 
he experienced from his savage master. Dorset, who had Hed 
to the woods, was pursued by the other two Indians ; who took 
the poor fellow, after he had made the most obstinate resistance, 
and received from them much abuse, by beating his face and 
head ; vvli>ch drew from him many bitter cries of ''master! mur- 
der ! murder ! I" 



HISTORY OP BOSCAWEN. 115 

The Indians soon joined in company with their captives, and 
without rifling the house, the family having all gone drwn to the 
fort, they sat off for Canada. They travelled through t!ie woods, 
and crossed Merrimr«ck river, at the talis, having made a light 
raft for Dorset, who could not swim, and one carried young Jack- 
man over upon his shoulders. Their first right's eix arr'pment 
was by SmUh's river, .fackman being without shofs, his ieet and 
legs were very much injured ; and, for h?s relief and comfort, 
the Indians kindly provid-d him with moccasons and stockings. 
He was too young to iiotce the p«)jiits or the distances of their 
daily marches, or the country or-r which they passed; but after 
several days hard travel, supported mostly by the scanty game 
they took in their way, the Indians reached their encampment, 
where they had large packs uf beaver's fur and one canoe. Here 
they stopped long enough to make t^otner canoe, and then em- 
barked with their captives and effects, ««<! ^lescended the stream, 
which brought them into Lake Champlain ; — th*nce to St. Johns 
and to Montreal. At Montreal,Jackman and Dorset were imprison- 
ed for a fortnight, while the Indians were employed in trafficking 
off their furs. But on their return, to the no small grief of these 
captives, they were separated ; and Jackman never saw or heard 
from Dorset afterwards. 

The Indians soon after this conveyed Jackman to St. Francis, 
and sold him to a Frenchman. While on this tour, he saw Chris- 
ti, whom he had often seen in Boscawen, and knew him, and 
was recognized by the Indian, He lived with his new master 
until 1761, after peace was settled between the French and En- 
glish, and he regained his liberty. This was to Jackman a very 
long and tedious servitude, especially so the first year. He was 
among strangers ; unacquainted with their language ; his diet 
new and unpleasant, and the impressive thought of home quite 
overpowered him — impaired his health,and prevented his growth. 
He, however, regained his health ; acquired such a knowledge of 
the French language as to speak it fluently ; — found in his mistress 
much kind indulgence, both in food and employment, which ren- 
dered his situation tolerable ; though never prevented, for a mo- 
ment, the ardent desire to be restored to tiie company of his rel- 
atives. To secure to him so desirable a blessing, his widowed 
mother employed Mr. Enos Bishop to go in pursuit of him ; who 
found him, and pilotted him home in safety, after a captivity of 
four years; in which term, though between the age of 11 and 15, 
he had grown but one inch. 

The foregoing is, for substance, the account which Mr. Jack- 
man verbally gave to the writer. 

It may not be improper to conclude this article of captivities 
by subjoining the ca;.ture and imprisonment of Lieut. John flatif 
ders, by the British, at Quebec, in 1775. 



IH HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 

On the alarm being given at Lexington, John Flanders, jun. 
volunteered his services ; — joined the company of Capt. Joshua 
Abbot, of Concord, N. H. with others, in April, and continued in 
the service till the last of the following September. 

At this time,the expedition to Quebec was undertaken, and Col. 
Arnold took command of the troops. Oct. 1, 1775, Flanders en- 
listed in the company of Capt. Henry Dearborn, since Secretary 
of war, and commander of the U. S. army in the late war. 
Their march was by the way of Kennebec river, through the 
woods over the high lands — carrying their batteaux and baggage ; 
and after experiencing incalculable hardships from bad travel- 
ling, want of accommodation, the advanced season, want of pro- 
vision, and prevailing sickness, which proved fatal to many ; 
they arrived at Point Levi^ opposite to Quebec, Nov. 9. Here 
they continued making prer«iations for storming the city until 
the 31st of Dec, when the unsuccessful attempt was made. The 
fatal day, when the brave Montgomery fell, Arnold carried off 
virith the wounded, 60 killed, and 350 were taken prisoners, on 
entering the city. Among the latter was John Flanders ; who 
was taken, imprisoned, and secured in irons. From his irons, 
however, he was liberated the 1st of March, 1776, by order of 
the British commander, but continued iu prison until the 1st of 
August following : then was permitted to sign a parole, and re- 
turn home. He shipped, and on the 25th of September landed 
at N. York ; from thence he travelled on foot, and was once 
more welcomed by his friends in his native town, after an absence 
of eighteen months. He was three months in the service — 
more than seven imprisoned, two of which in irons, and nearly 
two months on his passage home : — months of hardships, depri- 
vations and peril ! From Flander's J<mrnal. 










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